Boston @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2013 ) Boston 3, Detroit 10

Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander has set the bar impossibly high over his career, most notably a four-year stretch from 2009-2012 during which he compiled a 78-31 mark. The 2011 Cy Young Award winner has eight wins this season but has not pitched up to his typical standards, holding only one opponent under three runs in his last eight starts. Verlander and the Tigers will look to make it three wins in four games in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Boston Red Sox.

Boston lost three of four in Baltimore last week and is trying to avoid a repeat against the Tigers. Despite a rugged schedule this month, the Red Sox hold a two-game lead over the Orioles atop the American League East - the only division in the majors in which all five teams sport a winning record. Red Sox leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury is 5-for-13 in the series and is batting .400 (28-for-70) in 16 games this month.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubrondt (4-3, 4.38 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.72)

Doubront is coming off a career-best performance in his last turn, blanking Tampa Bay on three hits over eight innings, only to be deprived of a victory when Boston's bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Doubront has only one win over his last nine appearances, although he has not allowed more than three earned runs in seven straight outings. He won his only career start vs. Detroit.

Verlander had a four-game winning streak snapped by Baltimore last time out, when he was tagged for five runs and walked four in five innings. He is 3-4 with a 3.38 ERA in 10 career starts against the Red Sox. Verlander limited Boston to two hits in eight scoreless frames in the 2012 season opener but lost his last two matchups against the Red Sox last year, giving up nine runs in 11 innnings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Verlander has held Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia hitless in 16 at-bats.

2. Red Sox rookie 3B Jose Iglesias has reach base in 25 straight games, hitting safely in 23 of them.

3. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera carries an eight-game hitting streak into Sunday's contest.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Red Sox 3