The Astros will need a bounce-back performance Tuesday night in Detroit after dropping the series opener in lopsided fashion. Houston (69-56) has managed to stay atop the AL West (1.5 game lead), but recent struggles on both sides of the ball have left little margin for error as the season winds down.

Hunter Brown gets the ball for Houston, and few pitchers have been more reliable in 2025. The right-hander enters at 10-5 with a 2.45 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 164 strikeouts — numbers that have made him an anchor of an otherwise up-and-down staff. His challenge, however, is no small one. Across the mound, Detroit counters with Tarik Skubal, who is putting together one of the best seasons of any pitcher in the league with an 11-3 record, 2.42 ERA, and 190 strikeouts.

The Tigers (74-53) come in with momentum, owning a 40-24 record at home and winners of seven of their last ten. Their pitching has been a backbone all season, ranking fourth in the American League in ERA at 3.81. Detroit also holds a 1-0 edge in this series after Monday night’s rout, though the season set remains tied at two games apiece.

Astros' secret sauce

For Houston, the formula is simple — score early and often. The Astros are 41-7 when pushing across at least five runs, but they’ve been stuck in a rut lately, hitting just .212 over their last 10 games while their pitching staff has posted a 5.87 ERA.

Jose Altuve continues to be a steady presence in the lineup with 22 homers and 64 RBIs, while Jeremy Peña will look to build on flashes of power despite going just 7-for-36 over his past 10 games. For Detroit, Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene have carried the offense of late, with Greene driving in eight runs over his last 10 contests.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. EDT at Comerica Park, where the Astros will try to even the series and keep their hold on the AL West lead intact.

Betting odds

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -172, Astros +143; over/under is 7 runs

Roster moves

The Astros have recalled RHP Logan VanWey and designated RHP Tayler Scott for assignment after a rough outing against the Tigers.

Starting lineups

The first thing that jumps off the page is that the Astros are sending all right-handed hitters to face Skubal.

Nothing unusual with the top four being Pena, Correa, 'Tuve, and Walker. Yainer Diaz will catch and hit fifth, followed by Ramon Urias (2B), Mauricio Dubon (LF), Cam Smith (RF), and Chas McCormick (CF).

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