Bodog Beat

The Tigers have Justin Verlander on the mound against the Red Sox. (AP Images)

The -102 favored Boston Red Sox are in position to sweep a season series from the AL Central leaders Detroit Tigers for the first time this afternoon, but they’ll have to contend with ace Justin Verlander to do it.

Boston, which has won 11 of 13 overall against the Tigers, has never swept a season series from Detroit. It has accomplished the feat once against an AL opponent, going 4-0 versus Toronto in 1981.

Boston will have to deal with Verlander, who leads the AL with 186 strikeouts and is tied with four others for second in the league in wins behind Boston’s Josh Beckett.

Verlander is 1-3 with a 5.22 ERA in his last five road starts. He is 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA in three career outings against the Red Sox.

The Red Sox will give the ball to Clay Buchholz, who is searching for his first win in five trips to the mound.

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