Detroit Evens The Series With Boston At 2-2

The Detroit Tigers got a much needed victory in game 4 of the ALCS.  Timely hitting, solid pitching, and strategic managing led the Tigers to a 7-3 win over the Redsox.

The crucial win for the Tigers couldn't have come at a better time, as they will face Boston in a pivotal game 5 today at Comerica Park.  Games 6 and 7 will shift back to Boston.  Tigers manager Jim Leyland made a bold move by shuffling his lineup due to the Tigers lack of run production over the past three games of the series.

Detroit scored just 6 runs in the first three games, and their hitting percentage was a dismal .225.  Torri Hunter was moved into the leadoff spot, the 37 year old hasn't hit from there since 2000.  Prince Fielder moved up from clean up to third in the lineup as well.  Leyland bumped everyone else up one spot in the lineup, which proved to be an effective philosophy for the Tigers' run production.

Moving Austin Jackson to eighth in the order was a superior move as the struggling outfielder finished with two singles and two walks.  Detroit scored 5 runs in the 2nd inning alone, and defeated Redsox pitcher Jake Paevy with ease.

The silver lining for the Tigers is that their recent lineup change could be the spark they needed to potentially win this series.  They know that winning in Boston is a real possibility, and if the series goes 7 games, then ace Justin Verlander will be starting for them.  Not a bad option for Detroit.