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Class of the AL meet for day-night doubleheader

May 17, 2007 - 3:40 PM Detroit (24-14) at Boston (26-12) 12:35 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - The top two teams in the American League meet Thursday afternoon in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, who lead the AL with 26 and 24 wins, respectively, have split the first two games of the four-game series.

Boston starter Julian Tavarez may be pitching for his spot in the rotation. The veteran sinkerballer has struggled at times this season, a point made more problematic with Jon Lester closing in on a return.

Tavarez (1-4, 6.60 ERA) has not made it out of the sixth inning in any of his six starts this season, and has struggled with runners in scoring position (20.25 ERA) and runners in scoring position with two outs (40.50 ERA).

Tavarez will need to be careful with Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez, who has seven hits in 15 career at-bats against him.

The Tigers will counter with Zach Minor (NR), who was called up from Class AAA Toledo to fill in for Mike Maroth. The veteran lefthander was unable to pitch due to an illness.

Minor was 0-4 with a 5.57 ERA in eight games - seven starts - with the Mud Hens this season. Last year, the 25-year-old righthander went 7-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 27 appearances - 16 starts - with the Tigers.

The Red Sox took the first game of the series behind a complete game from Daisuke Matsuzaka, but dropped Tuesday's contest, 7-2. Magglio Ordonez slammed a three-run homer and Justin Verlander outpitched Tim Wakefield.

In 68 games against Boston, Ordonez is hitting .367 (94-for-256) with 13 home runs and 54 RBI.

The Red Sox have won seven of their last nine games and the Tigers have won 12-of-15.