GAME #60, DETROIT TIGERS AT BOSTON RED SOX

[Bear]

TIGERS V RED SOX

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017, 7 PM FENWAY PARK

TV:  NESN, MLBN (OUT-OF-MARKET ONLY) FS-D

DETROIT (29-30)...............................................................................BOSTON (32-27)

DETROIT:

JORDAN ZIMMERMAN, RHP, 5-4, 5.98 ERA, 39K

A likely tough matchup in a homer-friendly park for Zimmerman, who
has allowed sixteen homers in 61 2/3 innings, hinges on his slider.  He found
it in his last start and delivered six innings of one-run ball to beat the White
Sox.

BOSTON:

BRIAN JOHNSON, LHP, 2-0, 2.57 ERA 14K

Johnson returns for his third call up of the season and will try to
build off the shutout he fired against the Mariners on May 27.  The
lefty is filling in for Eduardo Rodriguez, who is out indefinetely with a
right knee subluxation.

Pedroia in line to return as Sox host Tigers

Jason Beck and Ian Browne

As the Red Sox welcome the Tigers to Fenway Park for the start of a five-game homestand on Friday night, they'll get second baseman Dustin Pedroia back from the disabled list.

Pedroia sprained his left wrist in a collision with White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu in Chicago on Memorial Day, and he's slated to return the first day he is eligible.

"The training staff did a great job getting the inflammation and everything out and getting the strength back; I'm excited," said Pedroia.

For the 29-30 Tigers, this is a big series as they try to inch closer to the American League Central-leading Twins. The Tigers, who gained steam for their second-half turnaround last season by sweeping the Red Sox in late July, are just two games back despite being under .500.

On the other hand, the Red Sox are on a roll of their own, as they make a push for the AL East lead.

Brian Johnson will be recalled for the third time this season to start Friday's game for the Red Sox in place of the injured Eduardo Rodriguez, who is on the disabled list with a right knee subluxation. Johnson spun a shutout in his last start for Boston, on May 27 against Seattle.

For the Tigers, Jordan Zimmermann hopes to follow up the six innings of one-run ball he put up against the White Sox last Saturday at Comerica Park.

This will be the second meeting between these clubs this season. Detroit took three of four from the flu-ridden Red Sox from April 7-10.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN THIS GAME

• Johnson is one of three left-handed starters the Red Sox will pitch this series, with Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz scheduled to go on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. That would seemingly favor a Tigers lineup that leans heavily right-handed, but Detroit entered Thursday batting .247 off lefties. It will also likely sideline left-handed-hitting catcher Alex Avila, one of the hottest hitters on the team.

• Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval both have a history of success against Zimmermann. Ramirez is 10-for-26 with a homer and six RBIs, and Sandoval is hitting .412 (7-for-17) against the veteran righty.

• Don't expect a reunion between former longtime colleagues-turned-rival general managers Al Avila and Dave Dombrowski. Avila, who worked as Dombrowski's top assistant with the Tigers and Marlins for the better part of two decades before succeeding Dombrowski in 2015, is expected to travel to Florida to take part in organizational meetings leading up to this year's Draft, which begins on Monday.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170608235175346/pedroia-in-line-to-return-as-sox-host-tigers/?game_pk=491009

[Bear]

RED SOX (32-27)

Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Sandy Leon, C
Pablo Sandoval, 3B

Brian Johnson, LHP (2-0, 2.57 ERA)

DETROIT TIGERS (29-30)

Ian Kinsler, 2B
Nick Castellanos,
3B Miguel Cabrera,
1B Victor Martinez,
DH J.D. Martinez,
RF Justin Upton, LF
Mikie Mahtook, CF
James McCann, C
Jose Iglesias, SS

Jordan Zimmermann, RHP (5-4, 5.98 ERA)

http://nesn.com/2017/06/red-sox-vs-tigers-lineup-dustin-pedroia-returns-brian-johnson-starts/

[Bill-806]

  AS our beloved Red Sox limp home from a  N Y series of what "could have been" !!! sigh

[ipot]

Oh no.  Not Zimmerman.  He beat the Sox back in April.  6 inns. 1 ER 4 hits.   ::)

[Rob from Mass]

While our Sox lost the series it amounts to 1 game in the standings.They somehow need to start hitting though IMO they won't  het a whole lot better.Mookie possibly had a career year and we know JBJ is what he is and not what we seen in 16.Idoubt very much JF is going anywhere and should he go I can't see a replacement turning a powerless team into to one.This is what we have and have to live with it .And I just hope  they don't  rush Devers. The kid need lots of help on defense as he is on pace for 24 ERRORS at Portland.

[markj]

3rd pitch and they're down 1-0. No CG shutout tonight.

[markj]

Not too much damage considering the hits. Sox down 2-0.

[markj]

Some mind-boggling base running by Xman. What was he thinking there? Sox with men on, but of course no runs.

[elktonnick]

Another mental error by the Sox.  It is hard to believe that this team is doing as well as it is considering how many dumb plays and errors they make.

[Schloicka]

Some mind-boggling base running by Xman. What was he thinking there? Sox with men on, but of course no runs.

I think he was thinking he was going to be out and decided to get in the way of the fielder trying to turn the dp. Was odd running as he should of been sliding anyway. He took it for granted he was going to be out and that screwed any chance he had to be safe.

[markj]

There goes another dinger. Sox down 3-0.

[markj]

Wow, a non-zero number on the scoreboard. Sox still down 3-2.

[markj]

The Sox favorite play (GIDP) ends a promising inning.

[markj]

Disappointing start for Johnson after last week's gem.

[elktonnick]

Is there any doubt that Sandoval is a liability at third