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Game No. 103 Preview: Houston Astros at Detroit Tigers

So the Astros can only go up from here, right?

By Ryan Dunsmore
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros (55-47) vs. Detroit Tigers (55-48), Jul 30, 2016, 6:08 PM CDT

TV: Root Sports SW
Online: MLB.TV
Radio: KBME SportsTalk 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM (En Español) 
Detroit Tigers SB Nation Blog: Bless You Boys

Pitching Matchup

RHP Mike Fiers (7-4, 4.69 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (10-6, 3.64 ERA, 1.08 WHIP)

Preview

Nothing went right for the Astros in Friday's game except for a few home runs from Jose Altuve and Jake Marisnick. I guess I could reform that statement as nothing went right for the pitching staff. Houston hopes to put yesterday's game behind them with a man who has been up and down this season for the Astros -- Mike Fiers.

Fiers faces Just Verlander in game two. Fiers rebounded from his outburst in Oakland by allowing three runs over seven innings against the Angels. A positive stride after not pitching through the sixth inning in four of his last six starts.

He faced Detriot in Houston on April 17, Fiers allowed four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. Fiers is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Tigers. Fiers is making his second start at Comerica Park, he allowed two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings in the previous start.

Current Tigers are batting .254 (17x67) against Fiers wth a .245 BABIP, 6.10 FIP, 13.9 K%, and a 6.9 BB%.

DETROIT TIGERS CAREER STATISTICS VS. MIKE FIERS
BATTER AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
Miguel Cabrera 8 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 0.250 0.333 0.625 0.958
Nick Castellanos 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Tyler Collins 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.667 0.667 1.000 1.667
Anthony Gose 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.143 0.143 0.143 0.286
John Hicks 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Jose Iglesias 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.167 0.286 0.167 0.452
Ian Kinsler 8 2 0 0 1 3 1 1 0.250 0.333 0.625 0.958
Victor Martinez 9 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.222 0.222 0.222 0.444
J.D. Martinez 9 4 1 0 1 1 0 2 0.444 0.444 0.889 1.333
Cameron Maybin 9 3 1 0 1 4 0 1 0.333 0.333 0.778 1.111
James McCann 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.500 0.500 0.500 1.000
Jarrod Saltalamacchia 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.000 1.000 2.500 3.500
Justin Upton 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0.000 0.333 0.000 0.333

Verlander has looked like his old self with a 3-0 record in five July starts with a 1.60 ERA. He is 5-3 with a 3.54 ERA in 11 starts at home this season.

Verlander is 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA in six career starts against Houston. He faced Houston on April 16, he allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings.

Current Astros are batting .221 (17x77) with a .283 BABIP, 25.9 K%, and a 8.2 BB%.

HOUSTON ASTROS CAREER STATISTICS VS. JUSTIN VERLANDER
BATTER AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
Jose Altuve 8 4 1 0 0 1 1 0 0.500 0.556 0.625 1.181
Jason Castro 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0.000 0.100 0.000 0.100
Carlos Correa 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0.333 0.667 0.333 1.000
Evan Gattis 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Carlos Gomez 17 2 1 0 0 2 0 5 0.118 0.167 0.176 0.343
Marwin Gonzalez 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Colby Rasmus 14 2 1 0 0 0 2 5 0.143 0.250 0.214 0.464
Jon Singleton 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.000 0.333 0.000 0.333
George Springer 6 4 0 0 1 2 0 2 0.667 0.667 1.167 1.833
Preston Tucker 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.167 0.167 0.167 0.333
Luis Valbuena 23 3 0 0 1 5 5 8 0.130 0.286 0.261 0.547
Tyler White 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0.333 0.333 1.333 1.667

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