Detroit at Houston

Detroit winds up the first half 15-34 on the road, ranked #24 in runs scored, and #25 in slugging and on-base percentage. The Tigers have been blanked a Major League-high 12 times. The Tigers limp in on a miserable 4-20 skid. Deroit is 1-8 in the last nine starts made by 34-year-old Francisco Liriano (4.74 ERA). The Tigers are also 14-40 on the road against a right-handed starter, plus 13-43 versus a team with a winning record. They face a Houston offense that is second in runs scored, fourth in slugging, and fourth in on-base percentage. Starter Justin Verlander (2.05 ERA) is having another dominant campaign, and the Astros are 42-14 against losing teams, including 28-10 at home. Play Houston.