Game #34 Preview: Houston Astros (10-23) at Detroit Tigers (19-9)

Houston Astros at Detroit Tigers, May 7, 2014 6:08 PM CDT

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Tigers SBNation Blog: Bless You Boys

Pitching Matchup:

RHP Brad Peacock (0-2, 5.26 ERA, 1.87 WHIP) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (4-1, 3.66 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)

Just make it stop, please. Anyone, please. How about Brad Peacock? Can he be the Astros' hero of the hour and help pick up the win to end Houston's four game slide? He'll be facing a lineup that has the top batting average (.288), on-base percentage (.342), and slugging percentage (.433) in the American League. 

Peacock is making his fourth start this season after replacing Lucas Harrell last month. He has given up seven earned runs over 16 innings of work in those starts - walking 12 and striking out 13. Only Rajai Davis and Ian Kinsler have previously faced Peacock, they are a collective 1-for-9. It's not a stretch to expect six innings and three-runs allowed from Peacock tonight. The question is can the bullpen keep it a three and can the offense score more than three runs on Rick Porcello? 

Josh Zeid has returned from Triple-A Oklahoma City and taken Josh Fields' place. Matt Albers won't return in time for this series. So may be difficult to expect different results from the bullpen tonight. 

The Astros couldn't find success against a Cy-Young winner or a rookie in Detroit, what about a pitcher that is neither? Rick Porcello has been excellent this season, showing excellent control that has lead him to a 4-1 record and 3.66 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He ranks fifth in the American League in K/BB rate (5.50), he has only walked four through 32 innings pitched. 

Porcello faced the Astros on May 2, 2013, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked zero. The heart of the Astros lineup has had some success against Porcello - Castro is 1-for-3 with home run and Dexter Fowler is 1-for-3 with a double. Robbie Grossman was 3-for-3 with a double in that game in May, but he won't help from Oklahoma city. 

Help us Brad Peacock, you're our only hope. #FreeTheP