All season long the Boston Red Sox's big hitters have been consistently slugging pitchers from every team out the park. However, for almost two games at the start of their ALCS series they were almost completely locked down. For Boston fans, the important word there was for "almost" two games – as in the eighth inning of Game 2 the Boston offense sparked to life with David Ortiz gaining a grand slam hit.
That eighth inning grand slam hit could have completely shifted the momentum of the ALCS, as it allows the red Sox to travel to Detroit at 1-1 rather than 0-2 in the series. That's a world of difference, however, expect the Tigers to come out fighting tonight to try and re-establish their dominance.
The Tigers will send Justin Verlander to the mound for Game 3, and that fact alone might dampen anyone's suggestion that the momentum is with the Red Sox. Verlander has been in top form and he will look to put the Red Sox big hitters back in their place.
Verlander comes into this game with an active 28-inning scoreless streak, during which he has struck out 43 men and posted a 0.75 WHIP
This has now become a best of five series and the ALCS has been split wide open once again.
Game 3 of the ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers will start just after 4 p.m. ET and can be watched on the Fox network or online on MLB.tv – free for subscribers - by clicking here.
