Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett follows through with a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 28, 2009, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Boston Red Sox kicked off the last leg of their 10-game road trip last night with a 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. The win gave skipper Terry Francona his 500th win at the helm of the Red Sox. Tonight they’ll look to make it 501 wins for Francona.

The game tonight will start at 7:05 PM EDT and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Tigers television market, you can catch the game on FOX Sports Detroit. For those of you who aren’t in either market, the game will also be broadcast on ESPN. And if the television isn’t your cup of tea, you can catch the game on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett starts for the Red Sox tonight and looks to retain his Commander stature of the KickA$$ Brigade that he’s recently reacquired after two dominating outings. On the season, Beckett is 5-2 with a 4.60 ERA in 10 starts. The Red Sox are 7-3 in those starts. He has only faced the Tigers twice in his career, his lowest against any AL club and is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. His only appearance at Comerica Park came last year where he gave up one run in 7 innings to pick up the win.

Armando Galarraga looks to get Jim Leyland back on the winning side of things tonight. Galarraga has made 10 starts this season and is 3-5 with a 5.50 ERA. He has lost his last five decisions. He has faced the Red Sox once in his brief career and didn’t receive a decision in a start that saw him give up 5 runs on 7 hits in 5 1/3 innings in May of 2008.

Amalie Benjamin reported on her Twitter page that Jonathan Papelbon won’t be available to close tonight after needing 35 pitches to get out of the 9th in a non-save situation last night.

Lowrie should take BP upon Fenway return [Projo Sox Blog]

Impressions of Tazawa [Extra Bases]

Pittsburgh’s Wilson could be on the Red Sox’ radar [NESN.com]

What Papi’s decline means to Boston [NESN.com]

Where does Ellsbury belong in the order? [NESN.com]

Papelbon pulls a Dice-K [Batter-up with Bruno]

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

Boston Red Sox30-22

Detroit Tigers28-22
1. Dustin Pedroia 2B 1. Clete Thomas LF
2. J.D, Drew RF 2. Placido Polanco 2B
3. Kevin Youkilis 1B 3. Magglio Ordonez RF
4. Jason Bay LF 4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
5. Mike Lowell 3B 5. Curtis Granderson CF
6. David Ortiz DH 6. Jeff Larish DH
7. Jason Varitek C 7. Brandon Inge 3B
8. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 8. Gerald Laird C
9. Nick Green SS 9. Adam Everett SS
Josh Beckett SP Armando Galarraga SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers batter/pitcher matchups