Report-Red Sox Closing Deal To Sign Tigers Safety In A Blockbuster Trade

The Detroit Tigers will try to start a four-game series against the host Boston Red Sox with their second consecutive victory on Friday, one night after Jack Flaherty took a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

On his route to a 5-0 victory on Thursday, Flaherty was supported by three solo home runs, including the first of the season from Akil Baddoo.

Late-inning home runs by Riley Greene and Gio Urshela also helped the Tigers snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 5-1 in their last six games.

“(Boston starter Nick Pivetta) is one of those guys you just grind out, have good ABs and try to get to the ‘pen,” Greene stated.

Kenta Maeda (2-1, 5.80 ERA) aims to continue Detroit’s successful streak. After being placed on the 15-day injured list due to illness, he made his most recent start last Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays, tossing five scoreless innings and giving up just four hits. After Flaherty gave up just one hit and struck out nine in six and a third innings during the series opener, Maeda will have quite the act to follow.

“Jack Flaherty has played in some fairly decent games in the past, but considering the ballpark, the atmosphere, and the diversity, this may have been his best performance to yet.

After suffering a tough-luck no-decision in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, Tanner Houck (4-5, 1.90) will try to help Boston snap its losing streak. In six innings, he gave up one run on seven hits and seven strikeouts in Boston’s 2-1 victory.

Houck has pitched at least 5 2/3 innings in each of his 11 appearances and is now ranked fourth among qualifying MLB pitchers in ERA, despite only winning one of his last seven starts. He was questioned regarding the American League Cy Young Award, though it’s early. MassLive claims that Houck isn’t letting himself see that far ahead.