Series Preview: Sox @ Detroit

Boston Red Sox (52-31) @ Detroit Tigers (48-34)
3-game series Comerica Park

Season Series: Boston leads 3-1

Keep an eye on: Magglio Ordonez-- the Tigers All Star right fielder is having an MVP caliber season, leading the majors in hitting (.370) while placing in the top five in RBIs (70-4th), runs (68-5th), OBP (.446-2nd to Bonds) and SLG% (.613, 2nd to ARod).

PREVIEW
Two of the best teams in the American League, who together have a combined 11 players participating in Tuesday's All Star Game, square off for a three gamer in beautiful Comerica Park to close out the mythical first half of the 2007 season.

After Hideki Okajima was elected by the fans yesterday the Sox took the lead from the Tigers with six players invited, but Detroit still has reason to be proud with their five guys, which include Gary Sheffield, Ordonez, Placido Polanco, Pudge(less) Rodriguez and Justin Verlander.

Okajima beat out Tiger starter Jeremy Bonderman, among others, for the Final Fan Vote contest.

The Sox come to D-Town riding high, having swept the Devil Rays and taken 2 of 4 from Texas to enlarge their division lead to a mammoth 12 games over the Jays and Stanks.

Detroit had been as hot as Jessica Biel in catapulting over Cleveland and into the top spot in the AL Central, but a recent cold stretch (lost 5 of 7) brought them back to Earth.

But just when it looked like they might be fading after losing a series opener to the Tribe on Tuesday, the Tigers pounced back by mauling the Indians by a combined score of 18-7 in the last two games and they now sit one game out of the division lead.

It should be a classic pre-all star break series, especially with all the star players adorning both benches. Don't expect an semi-injured players to see much action (this means you, Youk & Papi), and don't look for many over-aggressive base running or diving plays.

Both teams just want to make it into the break as healthy as possible and get as much rest as possible before the pennant races ramp up for real next week.

Well, except for the 11 players making the cross-country trip to the City By the Bay.

NOTES:
According to the Globe, Papi will sit out tonight and due to Youk's ailing quad, Boston called up PawSox first baseman Jeff Bailey to make his major league debut and play first base tonight; Goodbye, Jacoby down, hello Jeff...Tigers reserve infielder Neifi Perez was suspended this afternoon by MLB for failing a drug test. The light-hitting (.179) journeyman tested positive for a banned stimulant and will serve a mandatory 25-game suspension, effective immediately

GAME PREVIEW
GM1 FRI 7P Tavarez (5-6, 4.29) vs. Miller (3-2, 3.81)
The Sox never know what to expect when Julian Gump takes the mound, but for all his quirks and faults he has done a decent job as the team's fifth starter.

After winning four straight decisions Julie has dropped his last two, allowing 13 hits six walks and four earned runs in 10 innings during that time.

Tavarez will be opposed by young Tigers lefty Andrew Miller, a big 22-year-old who has only made five starts in his career, all this season, and who's coming off a bad loss in which he allowed six hits and five runs in five innings of an 8-5 loss to the Twins.

Let's hope the kid is intimidated by the blazing Boston batters.

But then again Julie could always melt down like Paris Hilton after a night in the clink.
MY PICK: Tigers find a way