Boston @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2018 ) Boston 0, Detroit 5

The Detroit Tigers look to keep Boston’s major league-best offense in check for a third straight day and win their first series in nine tries when they host the Red Sox for the finale of a three-game set Sunday afternoon. The Tigers, who are 0-6-2 in their last eight series, dropped a 1-0 decision in the opener before three pitchers combined on an eight-hitter for a 5-0 victory on Saturday.

Shortstop Jose Iglesias punished his former club with a two-run homer and a two-run double in Saturday’s victory as Detroit won for just the sixth time in their last 27 games, but the Tigers can even the season series with Boston with a victory in the finale. Left-hander Blaine Hardy, who is 3-1 with a 3.71 ERA in eight starts this season, rejoins the rotation Sunday after a stint in the bullpen while All-Star Chris Sale goes after his sixth straight victory for the Red Sox. Boston was without major-league RBI leader J.D. Martinez (general soreness) on Saturday, but Rafael Devers (shoulder) went 1-for-4 in his return to the lineup after missing six games. Mookie Betts leads the majors with a .355 batting average and had a pair of hits in the loss to drop his average to .406 in July while Andrew Benintendi is 9-for-21 against the Tigers this season after recording two singles Saturday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (10-4, 2.23 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Blaine Hardy (3-2, 3.31)

Sale has won four straight outings, pushing his career total to 101 victories, and is unbeaten in his past six while stringing together seven consecutive quality starts. The 29-year-old Floridian has given up just one run total in his last four starts and struck out at least 11 batters in five straight games - and at least 10 in six of the last seven. Victor Martinez is 22-for-52 with four homers versus Sale, who is 9-8 with a 3.05 ERA in 31 career appearances (21 starts) against Detroit.

Hardy replaces the injured Michael Fulmer (oblique) and makes his first start since June 26 when he allowed six runs (three earned) on six hits (two homers) over four innings in a no-decision versus Oakland. The 31-year-old has yielded one run on five hits across 6 2/3 innings over five relief appearances since, while striking out seven combined. Benintendi is 2-for-3 with a homer against Hardy, who gave up five runs over six innings in a loss to Boston on June 6.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston INF/OF Brock Holt (knee) reportedly could return to the lineup as early as Monday after missing Saturday’s contest.

2. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellanos owns at least one hit in eight of his last nine starts, going 11-for-34 during that stretch.

3. The Red Sox, who lead the majors in runs, hits, doubles, RBIs and batting average, have left 19 runners on base in the series.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Tigers 1