Tigers @ Astros

Who will WIN this matchup?

Detroit Tigers (37-84)

@ Houston Astros (79-46)

Starting Pitchers:

Jackson (DET): 3-5; 8.62 ERA

Miley (HOU) 11-4; 3.11 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Detroit Tigers: 4-6

Houston Astros: 4-6

Current odds:

Detroit Tigers: (+340)

Houston Astros: (-410)

• The Houston Astros ended a disappointing road trip and a five-game losing streak last time out and return to Minute Maid Park where they open a 10-game homestand with the first of three against the struggling Detroit Tigers on Monday. The Astros, who own the best home record in baseball at 43-15, lost six of the first nine contests on their road trip before knocking off Oakland 4-1 on Sunday as Zack Greinke won his 200th career game and Alex Bregman had four hits. Left fielder Michael Brantley has hit safely in 12 straight contests (25-for-52, eight doubles, two homers, 11 RBIs) to propel Houston, which leads second-place Oakland by 7 1/2 games in the American League West. Left-hander Wade Miley, who has not suffered a loss since June 17 against Cincinnati, gets the call to start the series opener for the Astros and Detroit counters with veteran righty Edwin Jackson.

• The Tigers own the worst record in the major leagues (37-84) and have lost six of their last eight contests, but gave Tampa Bay all it could handle over the weekend while winning the series opener and dropping the last two by a run in walk-off fashion. Leadoff batter Victor Reyes had a pair of doubles in Sunday’s 5-4 loss for Detroit and boasts multiple hits in five of his last eight games with four RBIs during that stretch to raise his batting average from .232 to .270.

• Jackson has won both his starts since rejoining the Tigers, allowing three runs – all on solo homers – and eight hits over 11 1/3 innings combined. The 35-year-old Germany native, who won 13 games with Detroit in 2009, had an 11.12 ERA in eight contests (five starts) with Toronto earlier this season. Robinson Chirinos (2-for-5) and Bregman (3-for-8) have each homered versus Jackson, who had a 3.72 ERA in two starts against Houston last year.

• Miley is unbeaten in his last 10 trips to the mound, but struggled last Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox when he permitted seven runs (three earned) over 3 1/3 innings – his shortest outing of the year. The 32-year-old Louisiana native has won five games and recorded five quality starts during his streak. Jordy Mercer (8-for-15) and Niko Goodrum (3-for-4) have had success against Miley, who beat the Tigers with six innings of four-run ball on May 14.

• Detroit DH Miguel Cabrera (474 career homers) was 0-for-9 in the Tampa Bay series with seven strikeouts.

• Houston activated Brad Peacock and recalled fellow RHP Cy Sneed on Sunday while placing SS Aledmys Diaz (dizziness) on the 10-day injured list.

• The Astros swept three games at Detroit in mid-May, outscoring the Tigers 24-6 in the process.