Houston @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2013 ) Houston 2, Detroit 7

As long as the Detroit Tigers are playing the Houston Astros, all is well in the Motor City. The Tigers will look to maintain their dominance in the season series when they host the Astros on Tuesday at Comerica Park. Detroit is 5-0 against Houston this month alone, winning by an astounding margin of 44-10. The Tigers are 1-5 against all other opponents in May.

Monday saw Detroit place center fielder Austin Jackson on the disabled list, but Andy Dirks stepped into the leadoff spot for the second straight day and had an outstanding performance. He was 3-for-4 with his first career grand slam to highlight a 7-2 win. Anibal Sanchez struck out eight in seven solid frames as the Tigers improved to 12-6 at home and moved back atop the American League Central. Unfortunately for Detroit, the Astros are off the schedule after Wednesday's series finale.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Houston), Fox Sports Detroit (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (3-3, 4.67 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (4-1, 3.14)

Harrell has held six of eight opponents to two runs or fewer. The other two got to him for eight runs - and one of those opponents was Detroit, which chased Harrell after just 4 1/3 innings on May 4 in Houston. Harrell walked four and struck out three in that contest, and followed that with six walks and only one strikeout against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. For the season, the 27-year-old has struck out 28 and walked 26, an unsightly ratio not nearly on par with 2012, when he fanned 140 and issued 78 free passes.

Fister posted his fifth straight quality start May 3 at Houston, allowing two earned runs in six innings - but had that run end six days later in Washington. The righty surrendered five runs - four earned - in just three innings against the Nationals, matching his shortest outing since Aug. 9, 2011. Fister is 5-0 in his last six starts at Comerica Park and 13-5 with a 2.93 ERA in his career in Detroit. He has gone 38 innings without allowing a home run.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve (jaw) and RHP Bud Norris (back) both left Monday's game with injuries. Altuve said he hopes to play Tuesday.

2. Tigers 2B Omar Infante is 4-for-4 against Harrell.

3. Detroit SS Jhonny Peralta is batting .417 in 10 games this month.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Astros 3