Detroit Tigers Have an Opportunity to Gain Momentum

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Apr 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) celebrates with shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros

Pitching Matchups:

Friday: Matt Boyd vs Collin McHugh

Saturday: Anibal Sanchez vs Mike Fiers

Sunday: Justin Verlander vs Dallas Keuchel

Once again, the Tigers miss a matchup with another former starter as Doug Fister isn’t slated to pitch. In his place, Detroit will face Collin McHugh, Mike Fiers and Dallas Keuchel.

So far this season, Fister and Lance McCullers have been Houston’s best pitchers. While Miguel Cabrera and company catch a break in that regard, the team still has to face McHugh and Keuchel, two starters that combined for 39 wins last season. Fiers, who has a career ERA of 3.83, isn’t exactly an easy out either.

With Matt Boyd (1.17 ERA in his last three starts) and Verlander on the hill, the Tigers have a chance to claim the series.

Boyd will open up the series against McHugh, whose experienced trouble against some Tigers hitters in limited exposure. Miguel Cabrera and Jose Iglesias are both 4-for-8 against the right-hander, while Nick Castellanos is 4-for-9. In just three career at-bats versus the Astros pitcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 2-for3 with a double and a home run. Left fielder Justin Upton also has gone yard against McHugh.

Even if Anibal Sanchez continues to struggle, Detroit will have a chance on Saturday against Mike Fiers. Fiers has failed to reach six innings pitched in a start in 10 of his 18 starts. What’s more, opponents have hit .317 off him in his last five starts.

Sunday’s contest will feature a matchup of two aces that the Tigers will certainly feel they have the upper hand in. Verlander has been excellent as of late, while Keuchel… hasn’t. The reigning American League Cy Young winner has seen his ERA balloon and his WAR number plummet. In 126.1 innings pitched, the left-hander’s ERA is an unsightly 4.70, while his WAR is just 0.2.

The left-hander is also allowing right-handed batters to hit .275 off him. The same batters are also posting a .337 on-base percentage. This is extremely good news for a Detroit lineup that features a number of quality right-handed hitters like Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Nick Castellanos, Justin Upton and Cameron Maybin.

Next: Drew Storen is Worth a Flier

Kinsler, Castellanos, Victor Martinez and James McCann all sport career batting averages north of .300 versus Keuchel.

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