(Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots' Day in Massachusetts.

Manager Alex Cora's club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.

'Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn't work out,' Cora said of Crochet's Sunday outing. '(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn't do much (offensively).'

The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.

The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.

Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.

'I just don't feel like we've had a chance in the games,' Gray said in Minnesota.

Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.

The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday's series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.

'I think we're going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,' said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. 'We've got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we're in.'

Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday's win. Five of Detroit's six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.

Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.

One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.

'For 'Tork,' connecting with one might be enough for him,' Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. 'It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.'

Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.

Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.

Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.

--Field Level Media