Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros Preview & Picks
Houston are tipped to draw first blood in this wildcard series.
The Astros have largely got the better of Detroit this season and starting pitcher Framber Valdez is a solid hand with a a great deal of postseason experience.
- Houston Astros are 4-2 against Detroit this season
- Houston Astros are 11-5 in their previous 16 games
- Detroit Tigers are 1-7 in their last 8 playoff outings
- The 2 starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 5.30
Head To Head
- Houston Astros won the regular season series 4-2
- Houston Astros won 4-1 when the two teams last met on June 16
Detroit Tigers Form
Detroit enter the playoffs having compiled an 86-76 record to finish third in the American League Central.
The Tigers lost their final two games of the regular season, but a good run of form throughout September ensured those defeats were not costly.
They won 15 of their final 20 games – a sequence included a season-best six-game win streak last week.
Detroit rebounded from a defeat in Baltimore with 6-4 and 4-3 wins over the Orioles, before returning home to sweep Tampa Bay with 2-1, 7-1 and 4-3 wins.
The Tigers then won the series opener with the Chicago White Sox, 4-1, before dropping the final two meetings, 4-0 and 9-5.
Houston Astros Form
Houston go into this playoff series having put together an 88-73 regular season record to finish top of the American League West.
The Astros made a rough start to the season as they lost 19 of their first 26 games, but they were able to turn things around and finish three games ahead of Seattle.
They finished the regular season with 11 wins in their final 16 games, although they did go 3-3 over the final six.
Houston swept the Los Angeles Angels at home, winning 3-1, 9-7 and 10-4, but they dropped the series finale and then lost two of their three meetings with Seattle.
The Astros ended the regular season with a couple of victories though, heading to Cleveland to beat the Guardians 5-2 and 4-3.