Red Sox vs. Tigers: Boston SP Josh Beckett Opens Up as Road Favorite

The Boston Red Sox (0-1) and Detroit Tigers (1-0) will continue their three-game American League series on Saturday afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled from Comerica Park at 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX.

Las Vegas oddsmakers opened up the Red Sox as minus-115 road favorites against the Tigers, while the total holds steady at 7.5.

Boston was held scoreless in the first eight innings of its 3-2 season-opening defeat, scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning, only to watch the Tigers walk off with a victory in the bottom half.

The Red Sox captured victories in five of six meetings in this series during the 2011 campaign, including wins in three of four in the Motor City.

Josh Beckett is definitely the best option for Boston in hopes of evening its record after two games, as he comes in with a 3-2 record and 2.50 ERA in six career starts versus the Tigers.  It's important to note that his ERA against Detroit is his lowest against any AL foe.

The right-hander is coming off a solid spring, posting a perfect 2-0 record and 0.95 ERA in five starts.

Bettors will find that the Red Sox are 19-7 in Beckett's last 26 starts versus AL Central teams.

Detroit will counter with last year's trade deadline acquisition Doug Fister, who was 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 11 outings with the club following a trade with the Seattle Mariners on July 30.

The right-hander certainly enjoyed pitching in front of the Tigers' faithful during that stretch, posting a 4-1 record and 1.61 ERA in six starts.  He walked just five batters and struck out 30 in 44 2/3 innings.

Fister will be facing the Red Sox for the fifth time in his career, coming in with a losing 1-2 mark and 3.33 ERA. But he's served up just one home run over that span.

The Tigers will look improve their record to 21-6 in their last 27 home games with a victory in this contest.