Tigers @ Red Sox

Who will WIN this matchup?

Detroit Tigers (12-11)

@ Boston Red Sox (10-15)

Starting Pitchers:

Zimmermann (DET): 0-3; 4.94 ERA

Porcello (BOS) 0-3; 8.47 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Detroit Tigers: 4-6

Boston Red Sox: 5-5

Current odds:

Detroit Tigers: (+185)

Boston Red Sox: (-205)

• Getting a rare win from a starting pitcher and some late offense, the Boston Red Sox avoided a third straight defeat and will try for a split of their four-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. The Red Sox rebounded from Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep by amassing a season-high run total in Wednesday’s 11-4 rout of Detroit. The bottom of the lineup came up big for Boston as Nos. 6 through 9 hitters Rafael Devers, Michael Chavis, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Christian Vazquez combined to reach base nine times and drive in seven runs. “The line is moving. It’s been moving since Tampa offensively,” manager Alex Cora said after his team used a seven-run eighth inning to break open Wednesday’s game.

• Detroit had a miserable performance from its bullpen in the third of nine games in a row on the road, watching a trio of relievers combine for seven runs and seven walks. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has yet to crack the win column as he prepares to make his sixth start of the season while Boston counters with Rick Porcello, also winless on the season.

• Zimmermann’s season has taken a sharp downward turn following a pair of excellent road starts in which he allowed one run in 13 2/3 innings but had nothing to show for it. The 32-year-old has lost each of his last three trips to the mound, giving up five runs for the third straight start while walking a season-worst four batters versus the Chicago White Sox last time out. Mitch Moreland is 5-for-9 against Zimmermann, who is 2-1 with a 4.45 ERA in five starts versus Boston.

• Although he did not factor in the decision, Porcello finally put together a decent start last out out at Tampa Bay, working a season-high 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He failed to get through five innings in losing each of his first three starts, giving up 19 runs and 22 hits in only 11 1/3 innings. Gordon Beckham has been a nemesis by going 15-for-32 versus Porcello, who is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA against the team with which he played his first six seasons.

• Red Sox RF Mookie Betts has collected two hits in four of his last seven games.

• The Tigers rank last in the majors with 13 homers.

• Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez boosted his batting average to .344 with three hits Wednesday night.