Tigers go for sweep of Red Sox Sunday night

Detroit beat Boston 8-6 Saturday

DETROIT – On Sunday the Detroit Tigers (33-25) will go for a much-needed series sweep of the Boston Red Sox (27-34) on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Detroit outslugged Boston on Saturday night to pick up an 8-6 win and stretch its winning streak to two games after dropping the previous five. The Tigers are 5-0 against the Red Sox after losing to them in the ALCS last season.

Detroit will turn to its most consistent starting pitcher, Anibal Sanchez, on Sunday, hoping he can earn his fourth straight quality start.

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Sanchez has been the victim of terrible relief pitching in his last two starts, allowing five hits and one earned run in a combined 15 1/3 innings but taking no-decisions in both.

Sanchez has shown pinpoint control in his last three starts, walking just one batter in 22 1/3 innings. His WHIP is a sparking 0.89 and he owns a team-leading ERA of 2.15. On Sunday he'll make his second start of the season against Boston after holding them to one earned run in five innings in a win on May 18.

Detroit will see Boston right-hander John Lackey in the final matchup between these teams during the regular season. The Tigers shelled Lackey in Fenway Park on May 17, scoring five runs in 5 1/3 innings and handing him his third loss of the season.

Since that game Lackey has bounced back, notching three straight quality starts and lowering his ERA from 4.01 to 3.28. Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera will look to hand the 35-year-old another loss, as the two have combined for a .415 (22/53) average and six home runs off of him. The entire Tiger roster hits .340 with eight home runs against Lackey.

After the final game of the home stand on Sunday, Detroit will head to Chicago for a four-game road series with the White Sox. The Tigers have played much better on the road this season, winning 17 of 28 games.

Detroit leads Cleveland by four games in the AL Central.