Detroit at Houston

Detroit had high hopes coming into the season, but the Tigers appear to be as bad as ever in every phase except the bullpen. The hitting has been terrible and their prized acquisition, Eduardo Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 5.33 ERA and he'll be on the mound today. Rodriguez has allowed 22 runs (15 earned) on 25 hits in 25 1/3 innings and Detroit has lost his last four starts. Houston has won five in a row while giving up only six runs in that span and the Astros won 3-2 last night as the Tigers had only two hits and Chas McCormick and Martin Maldonado hit consecutive homers in the second inning for the Astros. Framber Valdez comes off two good starts allowing three earned runs in 12 1/3 innings. The Tigers have lost 10 of 12 and they are 8-21 as underdogs dating to last season and 27-62 their past 89 games versus AL West teams. Houston is 51-23 its past 74 games as a home favorite. Play the Astros.