2007 ALCS (Games 1 & 2)

The Detroit Tigers came back from a 0-2 series deficit to overtake the Los Angeles Angels. Now they will have to face a tougher ballclub in the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox made quick work of the New York Yankees, by sweeping them 3-0 in the ALDS.

GAME 1 - ALCS
Detroit at Boston

The Detroit Tigers will send out young ace Justin Verlander (B-X / 16-8, 3.61 ERA & 208 K's) to face off against Boston's Josh Beckett (B-XZ / 20-7, 3.27 ERA & 194 K's). Both pitchers are coming off shutouts in the Divisional Series.

The Tigers strike first, after a two-out, walk to Magglio Ordonez in the first, Gary Sheffield hits a single to right, advancing Ordonez to third; Sheffield steals second. With runners on second & third, Placido Polanco scores both runners in on a single. Tigers lead 2-0.

J.D. Drew celebrating his home run in the 5th.

Bottom of the 2nd - Kevin Youkilis continues his great post-season with a lead-off double; Mike Lowell would score in Youkilis for Boston's first run, with a single to left. J.D. Drew's double moves Lowell to third base, while Julio Lugo hits a sac fly to tie the game at 2-2. Dustin Pedroia's RBI single, scoring in Drew, gives Boston a 3-2 lead.

Boston adds to their lead, with a RBI double by Youkilis in the 4th, and a solo HR by Drew in the 5th -- giving the Red Sox a 5-2 lead.

The Tigers could only manage 5 hits against Beckett; 3 of those 5 hits from Placido Polanco (all singles). The Tigers threaten in the 9th, with bases loaded & one out -- but Jonathan Papelbon (in a non-save situation) makes sure that the Red Sox walk away with the victory.

Beckett delivers another great outing, going 8.1 innings, allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs, with 7 K's and 3 walks. Verlander, on the other hand, allows 7 hits & 5 runs with 6 walks in only 4.2 innings, with 7 K's.

BOSTON RED SOX 6
DETROIT TIGERS 2

Boston's 5 thru 7 hitters in the lineup collect 6 of their 10 hits.

GAME 2 - ALCS
Detroit at Boston

The Detroit Tigers go with Nate Robertson for Game 2, saving Jeremy Bonderman for Games 3 & 6, if necessary; Plus Bonderman pitched in recent Game 5 of ALDS. Robertson (C / 12-12, 4.84 ERA & 104 K's) will match up against Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka (C-X / 15-12, 4.40 ERA & 201 K's).

The Tigers once again score first, this time in the 2nd Inning on a RBI single by Sean Casey; Carlos Guillen (double) scores from second.

Man on Fire: Youkilis has shown no signs of cooling off anytime soon.

The Red Sox put together another three-spot, this time in the bottom of the 3rd, with a three-run homer by Kevin Youkilis, who already had a double this game. Youklis, is currently batting .571 this post-season (8-for-14, with 5 doubles, HR & 8 RBI) -- he would go hitless in last two at-bats of this game; Great numbers in just four games.

The Tigers down 4-1, threaten in the 9th once again, with RBI double by Ramon Santiago; Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon locks down the save for the Red Sox victory. Another good outing by a Red Sox starting pitcher in Matsuzaka: 6 innings, 5 hits, 1 ER, 5 K & BB.

BOSTON RED SOX 4
DETROIT TIGERS 2

The Tigers once again find it difficult to score runs, as they have failed to score in 15 of the 18 innings, during these first two games.