Matt Boyd (1-2, 4.63 ERA) and Collin McHugh (7-6, 4.18 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (54-48) and the Houston Astros (55-46) at Comerica Park. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Jul. 29 and can be seen on RTSW and FSDT.
Boyd pitched 4.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering three and striking out four in a 4-3 defeat to the White Sox. Miguel Cabrera (.301, 55 Rs, 21 HRs, 60 RBIs) continued his strong play Wednesday, going 3 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. McHugh went 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs and striking out six in a 7-2 win over the Angels in his most recent start. Jose Altuve (.357, 75 Rs, 17 HRs, 60 RBIs, 25 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 2 for 4 Wednesday.
Notes
The Tigers are coming into this game after allowing no walks during their last outing. The Astros have a 2-5 record when opponents don’t give up any walks.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 9-40. The Tigers have a 9-34 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the top 10 of the league based on total home runs this season, Detroit ranks sixth with 132 homers and Houston is seventh with 131.
Ranking 16th, Detroit is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 305 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at third with 376.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 45-27, well-matched with the Astros who are 47-31 when hitting one or more homers.
