Tuesday, August 11Fenway Park | 7:10 PM ET
Rick Porcello, RHP (10-7, 4.30) @ Junichi Tazawa, RHP (0-1, 10.80)

Scouting Report:
Tigers: A better tempo, renewed sinker and improved command of secondary pitches has Porcello heating up just in time for the stretch run, something the Tigers couldn't have planned better if they tried. His two runs allowed over 5 2/3 innings his last time out, on Thursday against Baltimore, didn't show how effective he was early, when he no-hit the Orioles through the first four innings. Porcello will need his sinker working to keep his game from getting away from him at Fenway Park, where he has never pitched. Porcello gave up three runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Red Sox June 2 at Comerica Park.
Red Sox: The right-hander will have the comfort of being able to prepare a little more for his second Major League appearance then his debut on Friday at Yankee Stadium. In that one, Tazawa -- on the same day he was promoted to the Majors -- was called on in the 14th inning to pitch at Yankee Stadium. After escaping a jam in his first inning, he gave up a walk-off two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez in the 15th. Tazawa will now move to his more natural role of starter, replacing John Smoltz in the rotation. In 20 Minor League starts this season, Tazawa went 9-7 with a 2.55 ERA. This will be his Fenway Park debut. The 23-year-old Tazawa never pitched pro baseball before this season. He put up dazzling numbers in the Industrial League in Japan.

Wednesday, August 12 Fenway Park | 7:10 PM ET
Armando Galarraga, RHP (6-10, 5.23) @ Josh Beckett, RHP (13-4, 3.12)

Scouting Report:
Tigers: Manager Jim Leyland said Friday he has concerns about Galarraga, whose struggles to attack hitters over his past two starts have stymied what had been a midsummer roll in an otherwise frustrating season. Galarraga has been knocked out before the end of the sixth inning in his past two outings, and he was nearly chased in the second inning of his last start before lasting five innings over 109 pitches on Friday against the Twins. His nibbling at the fringes of the strike zone lately make this a tough matchup for Galarraga in Boston, though he posted a quality start against Boston in defeat on June 3 at Comerica Park.
Red Sox: The ace right-hander continues to come up large for the Red Sox. In his last start, Beckett fired seven shutout innings against the Yankees, taking a no-decision in a game the Red Sox lost in 15 innings. That, following a win over the Orioles in which he also pitched seven scoreless frames. Beckett has been nothing short of brilliant at Fenway Park this season, going 7-0 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 starts. This is Beckett's first start against the Tigers since June 3, when he had a no-hitter going for 6 2/3 innings. Beckett won that game, giving up two hits and three runs, none of which were earned. He walked two and struck out nine.

Thursday, August 13 Fenway Park | 1:35 PM ET
Justin Verlander, RHP (12-6, 3.45) @ Clay Buchholz, RHP (1-2, 5.33)

Scouting Report:
Tigers: Verlander was rolling off a dominant July stretch before giving up five runs in both of his August outings, the latest a six-inning performance against Minnesota last Saturday for his first loss since July 18 and his first game of fewer than 100 pitches since mid-June. He blamed himself for a few poorly executed pitches, something he'll have to watch against a Red Sox lineup that has hit him in three previous meetings.
Red Sox: The right-hander turned in a clutch performance in his last start at Yankee Stadium, albeit in a losing effort. Pitted against CC Sabathia, Buchholz held the Yankees to six hits and two runs over six innings. He walked five and struck out three. This will be his sixth start since being recalled from Triple-A, but just his second at Fenway. In Buchholz's first home start of the season, he gave up two runs over 5 2/3 innings to the Oakland Athletics. Buchholz's lone career start against the Tigers came last year, when he gave up 10 hits and five runs over four innings.

Tigers lost 7-5 but the real story is the brawl that happened in the 2nd inning. Youkilis charged the mound and was taken down by Rick Porcello - both were ejected. Boston then went off on AAA pitcher Chris Lambert and Detroit's offense went anemic.

Immediately after the game, Lambert was given a ticket back to Toledo. Freddy Dolsi was called up to fill his spot.

3-hits, 2 runs, and a 2-game division lead. All small numbers Tigers fans would like to see get bigger.

Tigers fans would probably also like to see Miner and Dolsi never pitch again.

Back to the hitting...

Although it was the solid Josh Beckett, Detroit bats continue to get shut down by opposing pitchers on a consistent basis.

Luckily, thanks to Ken Griffey Jr's walk off single in the bottom of the 14th for the Mariners against the White Sox, Detroit clings for dear life to a 2-game lead in the AL Central. How many times are we going to ask a Tigers opponent to bail us out?

Justin Verlander takes the hill tomorrow hoping to help the Tigers salvage a game against Boston this year. Then it's back to the CoPa for 6 games. Let's go Tigers. Show some lyfe.