Detroit Tigers: Three Things to Know for the Houston Series

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Apr 8, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Blaine Hardy (65) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) celebrate after the game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers baseball returns on Friday, as the team continues a long road trip. After taking the first two games in Pittsburgh, the Tigers now travel to Houston to battle the Astros.

Detroit Tigers fans are no doubt pleased with the team’s start this season. The Tigers have begun the season 6-2. During the opening eight games, Detroit has notched wins over prominent pitchers such Gerrit Cole, Jose Fernandez, Luis Severino and Wei-Yin Chen.

Once again, the Detroit will be faced with a tough opposing pitching in Houston. On Friday, the team will oppose Houston ace and reigning Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel. Following the series opener, the Tigers will also get a look at Collin McHugh, who won 19 games last season. In addition to McHugh, Brad Ausmus’ club will also oppose Mike Fiers, who posted a 3.69 ERA in 180.1 innings pitched in 2015.

Just as with the two series against the Yankees and Pirates, the three games in Houston gives the Tigers a chance to see how Al Avila’s new-look roster stacks up against playoff teams from last season.

The results have been encouraging so far, here’s hoping for some more victories for the Tigers! While we wait for the first pitch in Houston, here three things you need to know for the series against the Astros.

Apr 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (37) pitches in the second inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Can Mike Pelfrey Pitch Like He Did in Spring Training?

The Detroit Tigers experienced some solid pitching performances so far this season. Jordan Zimmermann has been a stellar addition to the team, while Anibal Sanchez has won both of his starts. Justin Verlander has had his moments as well, taking a no-hitter deep into the game against the Marlins on Opening Day. Additionally, the most encouraging start of all was likely that of Shane Greene. The 27-year-old looked sharp against the Pirates after a less-than-outstanding first inning.

One pitcher who has struggled is Mike Pelfrey. The longtime Met was shellacked by the Yankees offense last week to the tune of eight hits, six runs (all earned), a walk and a home run.

It won’t get any easier against a Houston offense that is spearheaded by standouts like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer and Carlos Gomez.

However, if Pelfrey can keep the ball down, he’ll always have a chance.

One of his issues against the Yankees is that he was anything but sharp. As evidenced by his Spring Training numbers, Pelfrey can be effective when he’s on his game. He’ll have a chance to do that against the Houston Astros.

Apr 12, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

J.D. Matches Up With His Former Employers

Suffice to say, J.D. Martinez knows a little bit about the Houston Astros. The slugger was drafted in the 20^th round of the 2009 draft by Houston. He advanced all the way through the minor league system and made his debut for the Astros in 2011.

During that campaign he hit .274 with 13 doubles, six home runs and 35 RBI in 53 games. Following that season, J.D. mashed 14 doubles, 11 home runs and drove in 55 runs during 113 games in 2012. His batting average that year was .241.

In his last season with the Astros, the current Tiger hit .250 with 17 doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBI. The team would let him go before the start of the 2014 season.

For his time in Houston, Martinez posted a -1.5 WAR.

The rest, as they say, is history. Since joining Detroit in 2014, J.D. has hit 66 doubles, an astounding 62 home runs and driven in 183 runs. His WAR is a sparkling 9.6 since the 2014 season started.

Not only has Martinez thrived for the Tigers, but he’s also made the Astros pay for letting him go. In 12 games against his former employers, he is hitting .306 with 15 hits, four runs scored, two doubles, a home run and seven RBI.

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (right) greets Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (left) during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Miggy and JV Get Back on Track?

While the Tigers have won six of eight games to start the season, two of the team’s best players haven’t had the best starts. Miguel Cabrera is only hitting .241 with a double, a home run and four RBI through eight games. Meanwhile, resident Tigers ace Justin Verlander owns an 8.71 ERA in 10.1 innings split between two starts.

Despite those uncharacteristic numbers, neither is too much of a concern. With Cabrera, it isn’t a matter of if, but when in terms of when he’ll go on a tear. The man does have four of the last six American League batting titles to his name. Additionally, Verlander looked good against the Marlins, and simply had a bad outing against the Yankees. That’s likely the reason for the high ERA. In fact, his FIP is almost four and a half runs less at 4.28.

With Cabrera (obviously) slated to hit third all series against Houston and Verlander scheduled to pitch on Saturday, there will be plenty of opportunity for getting back on track.

While Cabrera is only a .250 career hitter against the Astros (his worst against any opponent), he has had success in the past when matched up with a number of Houston’s pitchers. The first-ballot Hall-of-Famer is 2-for-5 against both McHugh and Fiers. Against McHugh, Cabrera has a double and a walk. In In his career versus Fiers, the former Marlin has a double, a triple and a walk. He’s also driven in a run.

Cabrera is also extremely successful against Astros reliever Tony Sipp. The two have faced off six times, and Cabrera has come away the winner in each encounter. The slugger is 3-for-3 with a double, two home runs and three walks.

On the pitching side of things, Verlander has been dominant when facing Houston. In five career starts against the Astros, the Cy Young winner is 2-0 with a miniscule 1.62 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched.

Next: Tigers Will Go as Far as Offense Takes Them

Both Miggy and JV should get back on track for the Detroit Tigers during the weekend series.

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Detroit Tigers baseball returns on Friday, as the team continues a long road trip. After taking the first two games in Pittsburgh, the Tigers now travel to Houston to battle the Astros.

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