Wednesday's Red Sox-Tigers ALCS matchups: Jake Peavy vs. Doug Fister
Jake Peavy has been a major leaguer for 12 years, during which time he'ÂÂs won 132 games, pitched nearly 2,000 innings, struck out nearly 2,000 batters and posted a career 3.51 ERA.
But for as much success as Peavy has experienced in his career, he only has three postseason starts under his belt, and for the first time, he'ÂÂll make a start in a championship series round when he faces off against Doug Fister and the Tigers in Game 4 of the ALCS at Comerica Park on Wednesday. Boston leads the best of seven series 2-1.
Peavy'ÂÂs third career postseason start came on Oct. 8 in the Red Sox'ÂÂs Game 4 ALDS win against the Rays. He lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on five hits and struck out three at Tropicana Field. Peavy (12-5, 4.17 ERA) exited the game with Boston trailing 1-0, and his pitch count at just 74, but the Red Sox came back to win, and clinch the series.
'ÂÂJake, on a normal situation, we're probably having a fist fight on the mound right there," manager John Farrell said after the game about pulling Peavy during the sixth inning. "Our starters recognize the time of the year it is, the importance of every out, the importance of every matchup."
Boston acquired Peavy from the White Sox on July 30 in a three-team trade that sent shortstop Jose Iglesias to Detroit. Peavy improved his ERA from 4.28 with Chicago to 4.04 with Boston, where he recorded a 4-1 record in 10 starts.
Peavy previously started a pair of postseason games in 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Padres. He had immense success in his eight years with San Diego, but not in the postseason. In two starts and 9 2/3 innings (both against the Cardinals, in the divisional series round), he allowed 13 earned runs and 23 hits plus walks.
Peavy faced the Tigers once this season, in his last outing as a member of the White Sox. He earned a win in Chicago'ÂÂs 7-4 victory on July 25. Peavy allowed four runs in seven innings, and struck out seven batters.
Fister serves as somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to Detroit'ÂÂs murderers row of starters in Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Anibal Sanchez. However, he'ÂÂs completely capable of continuing the amazing success that Verlander, Scherzer and Sanchez enjoyed in the first three games of the series.
Despite trailing in the series, Tigers starters have combined to throw 21 innings and record 35 strikeouts while allowing just two runs on six hits.
Fister last pitched on Oct. 8 in ALDS Game 4, an 8-6 win over the A's. He threw six innings, allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk, and struck out one in the no-decision. Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie ruined a sublime start in the fifth inning with a two-run home run.
The Tigers acquired Fister at the trade deadline in 2011. He'ÂÂs been a stalwart in Detroit'ÂÂs rotation ever since. Fister struck out a career-high 159 this season, but his WHIP ballooned to a career-worse 1.308.
Fister faced Boston twice this season. The Red Sox clobbered him on June 21 in a 10-6 loss for the Tigers. He allowed six runs and 11 hits in just 3 1/3 innings at Comerica Park. But on Sept. 2, he got redemption. Fister and Detroit beat Boston 3-0, and the 29-year-old threw seven shutout innings at Fenway Park.
Red Sox vs. Fister (RHP)
David Ortiz (22): .250/.318/.350, 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts
Mike Napoli (16): .143/.250/.143/, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
Dustin Pedroia (14): .231/.286/.231, 2 RBIs, 1 walk
Daniel Nava (14): .417/.500/.667, 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout
Jacoby Ellsbury (11): .375/.545/.625, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 walks, 1 strikeout
Jarrod Saltalamachhia (11): .455/.455/.909, 1 HR, 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout
Stephen Drew (9): .111/.111/.111, 2 strikeouts
Shane Victorino (6): .800/.833/1.400, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
Will Middlebrooks (6): .400/.500/.400, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Jonny Gomes (3): .333/.333/.333, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout
Mike Carp (2): .000/.000/.000, 1 strikeout
Quintin Berry, Xander Bogaerts and David Ross have not faced Fister.
Tigers vs. Peavy (RHP)
Miguel Cabrera (49): .289/.347/.511, 3 HRs, 1 double, 9 RBIs, 4 walks, 14 strikeouts
Prince Fielder (38): .278/.316/.389, 4 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts
Jhonny Peralta (37): .206/.243/.382, 1 HR, 3 doubles, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts
Austin Jackson (30): .321/.367/.571, 1 HR, 2 triples, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts
Alex Avila (25): .190/.320/.381, 1 HR, 1 double, 1 RBI, 4 walks, 5 strikeouts
Andy Dirks (20): .222/.300/.333, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
Torii Hunter (17): .438/.471/.813, 1 HR, 1 triple, 1 double, 7 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
Ramon Santiago (13): .154/.154/.154, 2 strikeouts
Don Kelly (10): .111/.200/.111, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts
Brayan Pena (9): .250/.333/.625, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 walk
Victor Martinez (8): .286/.250/.714, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 strikeout
Omar Infante (5): .200/.200/.200, 1 strikeout
Jose Iglesias and Hernan Perez have not faced Peavy.