Max Scherzer vs. Clay Bucholz. I like Bucholz despite the uncertainty with his stuff off surgery. Bucholz posted a 1.02 WHIP this season compared to Scherzer who had a 5.76 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. Boston has had a ton of success vs. Scherzer while the Tigers not so much against Bucholz.
Bucholz has 31 road starts over the last 3 years and a 2.94 ERA vs. the Tigers he has 5 starts and a 1.57 ERA including a 2.92 ERA @ Detroit. Tigers a different look, but still 103 AB vs. Bucholz and they manage just a .194 average and .606 OPS. I think the Sox will avoid the sweep here today with a strong performance from Bucholz and their offense which has 59 AB vs. Scherzer and a .946 OPS. Scherzer has 3 starts vs. Boston and a 9.45 ERA. He has two starts at home and posts a 16.71 ERA with a WHIP over 2 vs. the Red Sox at home. Boston is 46-22 in their last 68 meetings with the Tigers and 20-6 in their last Sunday games so I expect them to avoid the sweep and move on to the next series.
Another team looking to avoid the sweep. I'm backing Phil Hughes who has a lot to prove as a starter. A lot of people say he belongs in the bullpen and he may end up there before the season is out but he's off a great spring where he posted a 1.56 ERA. Hellickson on the other hand had a 1.90 WHIP and 9.00 ERA. Yankees were the best day team last year and posted the #1 OPS at .834 while Tampa was .733. They've been dominating the Yankees at home, but I think the Yankees will avoid the sweep on Sunday and the +100 odds are not bad.
