Apr 13, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images After a disappointing .500 road trip, the Red Sox head home to host two tough opponents: the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees. First up are the Tigers.

In their favor, the AL East is still close. Boston trails the Tampa Bay Rays by just 4.0 games. They are just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card.

At 7-11 they’re tied with the Blue Jays for last place in the AL East. The 10-9 Tigers are in third place in the AL Central. This is a 4-game series including Patriots’ Day / Marathon Monday and the 11 AM start.Casey Mize has started the season with two good outings (6.0 innings, 1 run and 5.2 innings, 1 run) and one clunker (4.1 innings, 5 runs).

The bad start was in Minnesota against the Twins, who have just been raking some days. Ranger Suárez is coming off his best start of the season last time out against the Cardinals and will look to keep rolling. The 6K, 6.0 inning outing was much more like Sox fans expected out of the big offseason acquisition.Saturday is a David vs.

Goliath matchup as Tarik Skubal takes on Brayan Bello. Skubal has given up 6 earned runs on the season – 4 against the Twins in April 7th. Hopefully the Red Sox scouting department has a plan as they need all the wins they can get.

The Sox did score 5 off the Detroit ace last May, so it can happen. The 5 runs allowed were Skubal’s season high. Like Suárez, Bello is coming of his best start of the short season.

Just 2 runs (1 earned) in 6.2 innings was exactly what the doctor and Alex Cora ordered. Sunday is the day everyone will be thinking about all weekend. Crochet Day.

But first let’s start with his opponent: Framber Valdez. The Tigers added another top-of-the-rotation pitcher while taking Skubal to an arbitration hearing. And the former Astro has delivered.

He’s made three starts of more than 6 innings with 1 earned run or less allowed. And one stat of 5.0 inning where he allowed 8 runs. To the Twins.

In Minnesota. Seriously what is happening there? The Sox ace was rocked for 11 runs (10 earned) in 1.2 innings. It was like not other start in his life.

And hopefully fades into memory.Jack Flaherty gets the early start on Monday. Flaherty wasn’t a victim of the Twins, allowing just 1 run in 5.2 innings. But the Tigers lost his start anyway 3-1.

Last time out against the Royals he went 6.0 innings allowing just 1 runs and striking out 7. Sonny Gray had a rough debut and then looked like the #2 for two starts before getting knocked around by the Twins. We almost can’t blame him for that one.

Let’s hope this is another start where he’s on track.Recently extended super-prospect Kevin McGonigle is hitting .313/.421/.484. Dillon Dingler and Kerry Carpenter lead the club with 3 homers each.Spencer Torkelson is hitting just .196/.369/.235 but has 13 walks!Old friend Kenley Jansen is the closer and has picked up 4 saves already.Probable Pitching MatchupsFriday, April 17: Casey Mize (3.94 ERA / 3.66 FIP) vs. Ranger (5.02 ERA / 4.48 FIP)Saturday, April 18: Tarik Skubal (2.22 ERA / 2.42 FIP) vs.

Brayan Bello (6.14 ERA / 3.87 FIP)Sunday, April 19: Framber Valdez (3.75 ERA / 3.07 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet (7.58 ERA / 4.63 FIP)Monday, April 20: Jack Flaherty (4.05 ERA / 4.26 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray (4.43 ERA / 4.73 FIP)When/Where to WatchFriday, April 17: 7:15 PM on Apple TV+Saturday, April 18: 4:10PM ET on NESNSunday, April 19: 1:35 PM ET on NESNMonday, April 20: 11:10 AM ET on NESN