Boston hitters working pitch count amid slump

DETROIT -- Though Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer completely dominated their starts in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Championship Series, the Red Sox did accomplish one goal. Their hitters have been patient enough that Sanchez and Scherzer were both gone before the eighth inning.

As evidenced by the comeback in Game 2, getting into Detroit's bullpen is probably Boston's best chance of winning this series.

In Game 1, Sanchez threw 116 pitches over six innings. Scherzer departed after seven innings and 109 pitches in Game 2.

"I just knew I was at my limit," Scherzer said. "You have to be smart. It's still early in the series. You have to gauge your health, because my health is important to the team, and I reached my pitch-count limit. I told them I was done."

The Red Sox take great satisfaction in making the other team's starter feel "done."

"That's what we do," first baseman Mike Napoli said. "It's part of our offense. We all work together to try to do something like that. We're not going to try to change anything. We just have to try to square some balls up and get some hits."

Game 3 is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX.