Edwin Jackson (8-5, 2.62) vs. 
Brad Penny (7-6, 5.20), 7:10 p.m. EST
Following a 5-2 homestand, the Tigers travel to Boston, where they'll be greeted by a Red Sox team that's lost six in a row, including four over the weekend at Yankee Stadium. Can Detroit prolong the Red Sox's struggles? Or will a Tigers team that's played badly on the road be just the remedy for what's been plaguing Boston?
Brad Penny comes into tonight's game having lost his past two starts. In those 11 innings, he's allowed 12 runs, six walks, and five home runs. And in three of his past four appearances, Penny has given up five runs or more. At home this season, he has a 5-2 record and 4.72 ERA in 11 starts.
Could Placido Polanco continue his hot-hitting ways tonight? After an 8-for-13 weekend and 10-game hitting streak that's raised his average 15 points, Polanco faces a pitcher he's batting .364/.417/.500 against, with a homer and four RBIs. (Thanks to Detroit4lyfe for pointing out Polanco's recent success.)
Pitching for Detroit, Edwin Jackson didn't pitch a complete game in his last start. But that's probably the only nitpick you could make about it. He gave up only three hits in eight innings, and probably would've had that complete game if a three-run outburst by the Tigers didn't keep him in the dugout for a while. Jackson has a lot of experience pitching against the Red Sox, and it hasn't worked out that well for him. In 11 career appearances vs. Boston, he's compiled a 2-4 record and 5.44 ERA.