Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros: Game 78 Preview, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Jun 26, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman

(24) hits a single in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers(44-33) at Houston Astros (35-47) – 2:10 p.m. EDT

Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

TV: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB.TV Free Game of The Day

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 87 degrees, 30 percent chance of storms (stadium has retractable roof)

Game Notes

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The Detroit Tigers have already clinched a very nice road trip, however it would still be nice going home after an 8-1 road trip rather than a 7-2 trip considering they are headed home, where they are just .500 in 2014, to face the American League leading Oakland Athletics for three games.

When We Last Met

Spot starter Brett Oberholtzer was called up before yesterday’s game and stymied Detroit batters. It looked bleak for the Tigers’ chances until Ian Kinsler pulled it out with a three-run go-ahead homer with two outs in the ninth off Houston’s bullpen to lift the Tigers to their eighth win in nine tries.

Pitching Matchup 

Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Smyly (4-6, 3.19) will be looking to continue pitching well when he faces Houston’s weak hitting lineup on Sunday. Drew has surrendered just four runs in his last four starts, spanning 25 innings, including throwing six shutout innings in Detroit’s 8-2 win over Texas on Tuesday. Smyly took the loss against the Astros when he faced them in Detroit on May 8. In that game he allowed three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Feldman (3-5, 4.00) gets the call for Bo Porter‘s team in the series finale and will be looking for his first victory in more than a month. Since beating Kansas City on May 26, the righty has gone 0-3 in five starts. Much of this has not been Feldman’s fault. He was bombed against Baltimore, allowing nine runs, on June 1, but has allowed just five earned runs in four starts since. With little help from his offense, he has nothing to show for his efforts.

Detroit Tigers Lineup 

Ian Kinsler‘s red-hot bat will get the day off–at least from starting. Andrew Romine will take his place for the day. Austin Jackson will lead-off for the first time in 2014.

1. Austin Jackson-CF
2. Torii Hunter-RF
3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
4. Victor Martinez-DH
5. J.D. Martinez-LF
6. Nick Castellanos-3B
7. Alex Avila-C
8. Eugenio Suarez-SS
9. Andrew Romine-2B

Injuries

Detroit Tigers

• Ian Krol – 15-Day DL
• Luke Putkonen – Out indefinitely
• Joel Hanrahan – Out indefinitely
• Andy Dirks – 60-day DL
• Jose Iglesias – Out for season
• Bruce Rondon – Out for season

Houston Astros

• Dallas Keuchel – Day-t0-Day
• Dexter Fowler – Questionable
• Chris Carter – Questionable
• Josh Fields – 15-day DL
• Matt Albers – 15-day DL
• Jesse Crain — Out indefinitely
• Anthony Bass – Out indefinitely
• Jose Cisnero – Out for season