MLB Playoff Schedule 2013: Breaking Down Tuesday's Matchups

After another thrilling day of the 2013 MLB playoffs, it's time to look at the next games on the slate.

The Detroit Tigers will try to bounce back against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday after a 6-3 defeat in Game 3, while the Tampa Bay Rays will attempt to hold off the dangerous Boston Red Sox.

Will the A's continue to shock the world, or will the Tigers roar back? Will the Rays be able to slow down Boston's high-octane offense?

Read on. 

*Watch postseason baseball live on TBS.com or your mobile device.

Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers

Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, Mich.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 5:07 p.m. ET

Watch: TBS

After a huge win in Game 3, the Athletics will send right-hander Dan Straily out to pitch in Detroit on Tuesday. The Tigers will counter with Doug Fister.

Straily allowed just one run in six innings against the Tigers in Detroit on Aug. 28. For the season, he's posted a 3.96 ERA while going 10-8 in 27 starts.

Fister was the opposing pitcher on Aug. 28. He didn't fare as well, giving up seven runs in five innings and allowing 13 hits in the process. A's first baseman Brandon Moss, who hit a home run on Monday, had two bombs and six RBI in that game.

The Athletics have held the Tigers offense in check thus far, allowing six runs in three games. 

That being said, Fister is an experienced pitcher who allowed three runs in three starts (19.1 innings) last postseason. That included allowing two runs in seven innings against the Athletics in Detroit. He posted eight strikeouts in that game.

Straily, on the other hand, is making his first career postseason start. I think the 24-year-old will struggle against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

It adds up to the Tigers squaring up the series at two games apiece on Tuesday.

Prediction: Tigers 5, Athletics 4

Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 8:37 p.m. ET

Watch: TBS

The Rays send Jeremy Hellickson to the mound Tuesday, while the Red Sox will counter with Jake Peavy. 

Neither pitcher has performed well lately, so I expect this to be a high-scoring battle. 

The Rays know all about Boston's offense, which posted a combined 19 runs against them at Fenway Park. While Hellickson has registered a 3.44 ERA against the Red Sox in three starts this season, his last start against them at home didn't go well, as he surrendered three runs in 5.1 innings on Sept. 12. That included giving up two home runs (one to David Ortiz, one to Jarrod Saltalamacchia).

Peavy, the opposing pitcher that day, fared better, allowing three runs in six innings. He escaped major trouble despite posting five walks.

I like Boston's offense better than Tampa Bay's, and I like Peavy better than Hellickson on Tuesday. Red Sox win Game 4.

Prediction: Red Sox 6, Rays 4