ALCS 2013: Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox Game 6 preview

Oct 12, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a solo home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz (not pictured) during the sixth inning in game two of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Who: Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox

Where: Fenway Park, Boston

When: 4:37 PM, ET – Fox

Series record: 3-2, Boston

After winning Game 1 of the ALCS on the road, the Detroit Tigers had to be feeling pretty good about themselves. How quickly things change as just five games later, they’re fighting for their season for the second straight game.

Hoping to drive the stake through their playoff heart will be the Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher Clay Buchholz, who is looking to improve off his Game 2 drubbing where he gave up five earned runs in 5.2 innings of work.

Buchholz, who missed a large portion of the season with an injury didn’t get the opportunity to start against the Tigers in the regular season, so his postseason start against Detroit was his first. On the plus side for Boston, Buchholz has been fantastic at home, posting a video game-like 1.99 ERA in 60+ innings of work at Fenway Park.

Meanwhile, attempting to starve off elimination for one more day will be Tigers starter Max Scherzer who was absolutely masterful in his Game 2 start against Boston, whirling seven innings of two hit ball while striking out thirteen in the process. It’s a performance he’ll likely need to repeat as the Red Sox have been dominant at Fenway this year, posting the second best home record in Major League Baseball.

There could be some lineup changes come game time as it’s been suggested that Xander Bogaerts, after a solid Game 5, will draw another start for the Red Sox, likely in place for Will Middlebrooks. For the Tigers, catcher Alex Avila, who was injured on a home plate collision is expected to play though if he’s unable to, the Tigers are considering starting Victor Martinez behind the plate. Martinez, a former catcher only caught three games this season though shouldn’t have too much trouble if he’s asked to be the temporary backstop.

A win for Boston would send them to their first World Series since 2007, while Detroit is simply looking for one more day to see a winner-take-all Game 7.

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