Astros at Tigers
The machine that is the Houston offense takes aim at a struggling fill-in starter when the Astros continue a three-game series against the host Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Lefty Ryan Carpenter, who owns a 7.90 ERA in seven career appearances for the Tigers, will try to slow down a Houston lineup that slugged four more home runs in an 8-1 win to begin the series Monday night.
The Astros have won six straight games and nine of their last 10, averaging 8.2 runs per game in that span. George Springer, who entered Monday leading the American League in home runs (15), RBIs (37) and runs scored (35) added two hits - including an RBI single - in Monday's rout. The Tigers managed five total hits and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while losing for the third time in their last four home games. Carpenter will be opposed by Wade Miley for Houston, which is 22-4 when it scores at least four runs.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wade Miley (3-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Ryan Carpenter (0-1, 10.80)
Miley has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his eight starts, tossing six innings of two-run ball in back-to-back outings. He tied a season-high with seven strikeouts while yielding a season-low two hits his last time out against Texas. The 32-year-old has a 6.63 ERA in four career starts against Detroit and has allowed nine runs in 11 innings at Comerica Park.
Carpenter was reached for six runs and eight hits - two homers - over five innings of a 13-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in his season debut last Thursday. The Gonzaga University product has given up 25 runs in 26 2/3 innings in his career as a starter, with opponents hitting .362 against him in that role. He carries a lifetime 8.59 ERA at Comerica Park into his first matchup with the Astros.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros 3B Alex Bregman has three homers and seven RBIs over his last two games.
2. The Tigers placed RHP Tyson Ross (elbow) on the 10-day injured list and reinstated INF Josh Harrison from the injured list.
3. Houston RHP Ryan Pressly threw a scoreless frame in Monday's win to extend his franchise-record scoreless streak to 36 innings.