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DETROIT TIGERS (26-17) vs. HOUSTON ASTROS (27-16)

LHP Kyle Lobstein (3-4, 4.29) vs. RHP Lance McCullers (0-0, 1.93)
Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 1:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers won their third straight game on Friday night as the defeated the Astros 6-2. Alfredo Simon started for Detroit and improved his record to 5-2, allowing two unearned runs on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 7.0 innings. J.D. Martinez hit his ninth home run of the season in the win and finished the game 2×3 with three RBI. James McCann was 2×4 with two RBI, while Miguel Cabrera, Rajai Davis and Anthony Gose each added two hits. The Tigers and Astros play game three of their four-game weekend series this afternoon. Following this weekend’s series, the Tigers travel to the West Coast for a seven-game road trip, which includes three games at Oakland and four games at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

SIMON SAYS: Alfredo Simon has enjoyed pitching at Comerica Park as a member of the Tigers. With his performance in last night’s game, Simon is now 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA (28.2IP/3ER) in four home starts this season. Simon’s 0.94 ERA ranks as the lowest home ERA in the American League. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only pitcher in Tigers history with a lower ERA in his first four home starts for the team is Doyle Alexander, who had an ERA of 0.56 in his first four starts at Tiger Stadium in 1987.

MIGGY EXTENDS HITTING STREAK TO 10 GAMES: Miguel Cabrera improved his hitting streak to 10 games as he was 2×3 with a run scored, a double and a walk in last night’s game. Over his 10 -game streak, Cabrera is hitting .421 (16×38) with eight runs scored, two doubles, one triple, four home runs and 10 RBI. Cabrera’s hitting streak is his longest of the season and ranks as the third-longest active hitting streak in the American League.

J.D. POWER: J.D. Martinez hit his ninth home run of the season in last night’s game, a three-run blast off of Collin McHugh in the third inning. Of Martinez’s nine home runs, six of them have been hit to the opposite field. Martinez ranks tied for 10th in the American League with nine home runs.

THE NEED FOR SPEED: The Tigers had a pair of stolen bases in last night’s game to give them an American League leading 41 stolen bases this season. Rajai Davis is tied for third in the AL with 11 stolen bases, while Anthony Gose and Jose Iglesias are tied for 10th with seven steals.

WHAT A RELIEF: The Tigers bullpen worked 2.0 scoreless innings in last night’s game. In the month of May, Detroit has a 1.29 (55.2IP/8ER) bullpen ERA, which is the best in the majors. For the season, the Tigers have a 2.75 (118.0IP/36ER) bullpen ERA, which ranks third in the American League.

KINSLER ON THE MARK AGAINST HOUSTON: Ian Kinsler has compiled impressive numbers in his career against the Astros. In 65 career games vs. Houston, Kinsler has a .329 (85×258) batting average with 63 runs scored, 17 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 37 RBI. Kinsler’s 63 runs scored vs. Houston ranks sixth among all active players, while his .329 batting average ranks ninth.

ALL-STAR VOTING OPEN NOW: Voting has started for Major League Baseball’s 86th All-Star Game held at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. MLB’s All-Star Balloting Program is the largest of its kind in professional sports and this year will be conducted exclusively online. Fans around the world can cast their votes for position starts 35 times by visiting tigers.com/vote. Voting is open now through July 2 and fans are encouraged to vote early and often. Last year, Miguel Cabrera was elected as the American League’s starting first baseman, marking the second time he has been selected to start an All-Star Game.

DETROIT TIGERS FOUNDATION 50/50 RAFFLE: The Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle continues at Comerica Park this season. This weekend, the raffle will happen on Saturday. The partner charity for this weekend’s 50/50 raffle is the Little Caesars Amateur Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports programs in greater Detroit. Tickets will be sold on a digital platform and are three for $5, 10 for $10 and 40 for $20. The winner will be announced on the Comerica Park scoreboard before the end of the game.

TODAY’S TIDBITS

• The national anthem will be performed by the DeWitt High School Chamber Choir of Dewitt, Michigan.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 26-17 / Streak: W3
Game #44 / Home #25
Home: 14-10 / Road 12-7

TIGERS VS. ASTROS

2015 Record: 2-0
2015 at Home: 2-0
2015 at Houston: 0-0
All-Time Record: 18-13
All-Time at Home: 12-6
All-Time at Comerica Park: 12-3
All-Time at Houston: 6-7

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 6-4
Last 15 games: 9-6
Last 20 games: 11-9

This content was originally published on May 23, 2015. It was delivered electronically to specific media contacts and the entire Detroit Tigers front office staff, as well as being available to media in the press box and distributed to fans at program stands around Comerica Park.