Boston @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2013 ) Boston 3, Detroit 4

Issues with the Detroit Tigers' bullpen dominated the talk prior to Thursday’s series opener, but chatter quickly shifted to the Boston Red Sox changing closers after just one game. The teams meet Friday in the second contest of a four-game set in Detroit and Andrew Bailey won’t be the Boston closer after allowing a two-run walk-off homer to Jhonny Peralta in the bottom of the ninth. The Tigers have pulled Jose Valverde as closer and are using the committee approach.

Detroit never led in the opener until Peralta’s third career walk-off homer gave the Tigers a 4-3 victory and increased their lead to four games over the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central. David Ortiz belted his 25th career homer against Detroit pitching but Boston’s lead in the AL East over the Baltimore Orioles dipped to one game. Bailey has blown four of 12 save opportunities and hasn’t regained his velocity since spending most of May on the disabled list with a biceps injury.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, New England Sports Network (Boston), Fox Sports Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (6-4, 4.37 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (6-4, 3.21)

Lester is 0-4 over his last six starts after winning his first six decisions. He was hit hard in each of his last two outings, giving up a combined 12 runs and 17 hits in 9 2/3 innings in losses to Tampa Bay and Baltimore. Lester is 0-2 with a 4.78 ERA in five career starts against Detroit.

Fister lost three straight decisions before a terrific effort against Minnesota in his last outing when he gave up two runs and as many hits in 7 2/3 innings. Fister is 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA in six home starts this season. Fister is 1-3 with a 4.09 ERA in six career starts against Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit has won five consecutive home games against the Red Sox.

2. Boston 3B Will Middlebrooks, who was hitless in four at-bats in the opener, is mired in a 4-for-39 slump.

3. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera is 8-for-14 against Lester and OF Torii Hunter is 8-for-16.

PREDICTION: Tigers 9, Red Sox 6