Texas took two out of three from Boston to kick off the week. Clay Buchholz had a stellar performance on Tuesday, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on four hits to a hard-hitting Rangers team.
Boston moved onto New York with low expectation against the then MLB-leading Yankees. But the Red Sox were able to take two out of three and start a bit of a resurgence. Felix Doubront was very sharp in the series finale, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out eight in 6 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox now return home for a 10-game homestand. They play three against Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and the Tigers, four against the Minnesota Twins and then the Rangers come to Fenway for a set of three.
Detroit (54-48) is just a game and a half out of the top spot in the American League Central. This is the same team that swept the Sox in their Opening Day series back in Detroit. When the Tigers visited Fenway in late May, though, the Sox took three out of four and shelled Justin Verlander for five runs in a 6-3 win.
Boston swept Minnesota in late April, the only time the two have played this season. Daniel Bard, Josh Beckett and Buchholz were the winners in that three-game series, but Bard has since been optioned to Pawtucket and Beckett has struggled of late.
The good news for Sox fans is that the Twins are having an off year. Minnesota (43-58) is 12 games out of the AL Central, but they may still have some hope as the Red Sox are just 25-28 at Fenway Park this year.
Texas will make its second trip to Fenway this season, following the weekend series with the Twins. They took both games of a two-game series in mid-April, including an 18-run, 21-hit attack in the first game. Jon Lester was hit for seven runs and eight hits while only lasting two innings in the Rangers last trip the Fens.
It'll be a tough stretch for the Sox against teams that have played well (Texas and Detroit) and not so well (Minnesota). Who will be this week's Amica Pitcher of the Week?