Red Sox Edge Tigers 5-4 in Close Contest
Monday, May 4, 2026, 6:10 PM ET · Comerica Park
Boston Red Sox 5, Detroit Tigers 4, final. Our MLB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers?
Boston Red Sox beat Detroit Tigers 5-4 at Comerica Park on May 4, 2026.
Who was favored in Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers?
Boston Red Sox were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -126 (about 56% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested game at Comerica Park, the Boston Red Sox triumphed over the Detroit Tigers with a final score of 5-4. This victory completed a three-game series sweep for the Red Sox, who have now won all three matchups against the Tigers in this series. The Red Sox's win was marked by a strong performance in the later innings, particularly in the seventh, where they scored three crucial runs to turn the tide of the game.
The Tigers entered this matchup with a home record of 18-18, having shown a mixed form recently with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games. They had won their previous two games against the Texas Rangers, scoring an average of 4.9 runs while allowing 4.3 runs per game during this stretch. Despite their recent success at home, the Tigers were unable to maintain their momentum against the Red Sox.
On the other hand, the Red Sox came into the game with a 14-21 record, struggling with a 4-6 record in their last ten games. They had lost their last two games against the Houston Astros, averaging 4.0 runs scored and 3.9 runs allowed during that span. The Red Sox's away form has been less than stellar, with a record of 1-3 in their last four games on the road.
In terms of injuries, the Tigers faced significant challenges with several key players on the injured list, including Burch Smith, Brant Hurter, Wenceel Perez, Jack Flaherty, and Justin Verlander, all of whom are on the 60-Day or 15-Day Injured List. This has undoubtedly affected their depth and performance on the field. The Red Sox also had their share of injury concerns, with Ceddanne Rafaela and Adley Rutschman listed as day-to-day, while Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, and Zack Kelly are on the 60-Day Injured List.
The market had priced the Red Sox as favorites with odds of -126 from DraftKings, reflecting their recent form and the Tigers' injury woes. The spread was set at 1.5, with a total of 8.0 runs for the game, indicating expectations of a competitive match.
The game was played under typical baseball conditions, with fans witnessing a thrilling contest that showcased the resilience of both teams. The scoring plays were pivotal, with the Tigers initially taking a lead in the sixth inning through a fielder's choice by Vierling, which allowed Keith to score. However, the Red Sox responded aggressively in the seventh inning, highlighted by a home run from Duran that brought in three runs, turning the game in their favor.
As the game progressed into the eighth inning, the Tigers made a valiant effort to claw back, scoring two runs through Dingler's double, but it was not enough to overcome the Red Sox's lead.
Overall, this match was a reflection of the competitive nature of MLB, with the Red Sox capitalizing on their opportunities and the Tigers showing grit in their pursuit of a win, despite their injury challenges.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BOS -126 | 8 o -118 / u -102 | Boston Red Sox -126 · Detroit Tigers +104 |
Injury report
- Burch Smith60-Day-ILShoulderDetroit Tigers
- Brant Hurter60-Day-ILBackDetroit Tigers
- Wenceel Perez60-Day-ILOrbitalDetroit Tigers
- Jack Flaherty15-Day-ILForearmDetroit Tigers
- Justin Verlander60-Day-ILHamstringDetroit Tigers
- Ceddanne RafaelaDay-To-DayQuadricepsBoston Red Sox
- Adley RutschmanDay-To-DayElbowBoston Red Sox
- Johan Oviedo60-Day-ILElbowBoston Red Sox
- Kutter Crawford60-Day-ILForearmBoston Red Sox
- Zack Kelly60-Day-ILElbowBoston Red Sox
Recent form
Detroit Tigers
Last 10: 5-5Streak W24.9 scored · 4.3 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W7-1vs Texas RangersMay 3
- W5-1vs Texas RangersMay 2
- L4-5vs Texas RangersMay 1
- W5-2at Atlanta BravesApr 30
- L3-4at Atlanta BravesApr 29
- L2-5at Atlanta BravesApr 28
- W8-3at Cincinnati RedsApr 26
- L2-9at Cincinnati RedsApr 25
- L8-9at Cincinnati RedsApr 24
- W5-4vs Milwaukee BrewersApr 23
Boston Red Sox
Last 10: 4-6Streak L24 scored · 3.9 allowed per game3-3 away
- L1-3vs Houston AstrosMay 3
- L3-6vs Houston AstrosMay 2
- W3-1vs Houston AstrosMay 1
- L1-8at Toronto Blue JaysApr 29
- L0-3at Toronto Blue JaysApr 28
- W5-0at Toronto Blue JaysApr 27
- W5-3at Baltimore OriolesApr 26
- W17-1at Baltimore OriolesApr 25
- L3-10at Baltimore OriolesApr 24
- L2-4vs New York YankeesApr 23
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | - | 56 | L1 | .597 | 83 |
| New York | 3.5 | 60 | W2 | .571 | 80 |
| Boston | 8.5 | 65 | L2 | .536 | 75 |
| Toronto | 14.5 | 71 | W1 | .493 | 69 |
| Baltimore | 14.5 | 71 | L2 | .493 | 69 |
| Chicago | - | 66 | L1 | .525 | 73 |
| Cleveland | 3 | 69 | L1 | .504 | 70 |
| Minnesota | 6.5 | 73 | L1 | .479 | 67 |
| Detroit | 9 | 75 | W1 | .460 | 64 |
| Kansas City | 11.5 | 78 | L3 | .443 | 62 |
How the scoring went
- 6th Inning0-2Vierling grounded into fielder's choice to third, Keith scored and Jones scored on throwing error by third baseman Monasterio, Vierling to second.
- 7th Inning3-2Duran homered to left (381 feet), Narváez scored and Monasterio scored.
- 7th Inning4-2Abreu singled to left, Yoshida scored.
- 7th Inning5-2Mayer singled to right, Abreu scored, Rafaela to third.
- 8th Inning5-4Dingler doubled to left, Vierling scored and Keith scored.
Win probability
Above the line favours Detroit Tigers, below favours Boston Red Sox.
Venue
- Comerica ParkDetroit, Michigan
- Attendance22321
- OfficialsDan Iassogna, Adam Beck, Jonathan Parra, Jeremie Rehak
Elsewhere
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- Red Sox Sweep Tigers with 4-0 VictoryMay 6, 2026
- Red Sox Dominate Tigers in 10-3 VictoryMay 5, 2026
- Red Sox Edge Tigers in High-Scoring AffairApr 20, 2026
- Tigers Triumph Over Red Sox at Fenway ParkApr 19, 2026
- Tigers Defeat Red Sox 4-1 at Fenway ParkApr 18, 2026