Detroit Tigers' catcher Alex Avila will start tonight's Game Six

Tigers’ backstop Alex Avila will start tonight’s Game Six

Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) holds onto the ball and tags out Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross (3) at home plate during the second inning in game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

According to multiple sources, Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila will start in tonight’s elimination Game Six at Fenway Park, just to days after suffering a knee injury in a home plate collision with Boston catcher David Ross.

After straining his patellar tendon in his left knee, Avila had been listed as day-to-day as recently as an hour ago, but Tigers’ skipper Jim Leyland will start Avila against the Red Sox.

“It was a good hard play,” said Avila after the game. He also went on to say that he experienced a similar injury that kept him out of the lineup for several weeks in 2011, but that he intended to play on Saturday, despite the injury.

Known for his abilities behind the plate, Avila hit just .227 this season in 102 games for Detroit, adding 11 home runs and 47 RBIS – a noticeable dropoff from just a few seasons ago. However, he has shown some power in the 2013 postseason, going 3-for-12 against Boston in the ALCS, including a home run and three RBIs.

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