Houston @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( May 14, 2013 ) Houston 2, Detroit 6

The Detroit Tigers have dominated the Houston Astros and look to complete their second sweep of the season against the worst team in the majors when a three-game series concludes Wednesday at Comerica Park. Detroit swept a four-game set in Houston earlier this month before posting 7-2 and 6-2 home wins the last two nights. The Tigers have outscored the Astros 50-12 in six games and Miguel Cabrera is batting .417 with three homers.

Detroit starter Max Scherzer has won four consecutive starts and is looking to improve to 6-0. He held the Astros to one run and three hits in eight innings in Detroit’s 17-2 win on May 4. The Astros have tied a season high with six straight defeats and their 10-30 record matches the worst start in the majors since the Kansas City Royals had the same mark after 40 games in 2006. Houston has won just three of its last 19 games.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Fox Sports Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.43 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.61)

Keuchel is making his second start after six relief appearances. He had a strong first start in a no-decision against Texas, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings. Keuchel lost to the Tigers on May 2 when he tossed four shutout innings before being touched up for four runs in the decisive 14th inning. That is his lone career appearance against Detroit.

Scherzer has been spectacular with 61 strikeouts against just nine walks. He has walked two or fewer batters in six of his seven outings. Scherzer beat the Cleveland Indians in his last start on Friday when he gave up four runs and five hits in eight innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Houston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston 2B Jose Altuve went on the bereavement list Tuesday after the death of his grandmother. Jake Elmore was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City and went 1-for-4 in Altuve’s place.

2. Cabrera hit his eighth homer in Tuesday’s victory and leads the majors with 41 RBIs.

3. Astros 1B Carlos Pena is hitless in eight career at-bats against Scherzer.

PREDICTION: Tigers 8, Astros 1