Detroit @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( May 24, 2015 ) Houston 10, Detroit 8

In the recent past, a mid-August series between the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers marked an opportunity for the Tigers to pad their division lead while the Astros prepared for the next season’s roster. Those roles will be switched somewhat when Detroit visits Houston for the start of a three-game series on Friday.

The Astros are locked in a battle for the American League West while the Tigers sit four games below .500 (55-59) and on their way to missing the postseason for the first time since 2010. Houston, which has not posted a winning record since 2008, snapped a four-game slide with a 2-0 win at San Francisco on Wednesday but has dropped seven of nine to keep things tight in the West with the Los Angeles Angels lurking in the rearview mirror. The Astros managed a total of nine runs in their last five games but is going up against a Detroit pitching staff that has surrendered at least four runs in seven straight. Houston will take its cuts against Alfredo Simon on Friday while the Tigers try their luck against All-Star Dallas Keuchel.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Alfredo Simon (10-6, 4.74 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (13-6, 2.40)

Simon had a modest two-start winning streak come to an end on Saturday, when he was knocked around for six runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings without earning a decision against Boston. The Dominican Republic native has allowed at least four earned runs in eight of his last nine outings to watch his ERA balloon from 2.58 on June 14 to 4.74. Simon yielded a pair of unearned runs and four hits in seven innings to earn a win against Houston on May 22.

Keuchel could not get any help from his offense at Oakland last Friday and absorbed the loss despite allowing three runs in 7 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old notched just three strikeouts against the Athletics, marking his lowest total since fanning three at Baltimore on May 25. Keuchel missed Detroit last time around and is 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA in three career games – two starts – against the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf) could come off the disabled list and play Friday for the first time since July 3.

2. Houston CF Carlos Gomez (right knee) did not start on Wednesday and is day-to-day.

3. Houston DH Evan Gattis is 2-for-25 over his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Tigers 3