GDT30: 5/8/14 - DET (20-9) VS HOU (10-24) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: LHP Drew Smyly (2-1, 2.45 ERA)

Smyly will make back-to-back turns in the Tigers' rotation for just the second time this season after making just two starts in April. He showed no rust last Saturday, firing seven shutout innings and allowing two hits against the Royals.



Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-2, 3.96 ERA)

Keuchel's been the anchor of the rotation, even though his last attempt at a quality start was thwarted by three straight walks in a loss against Seattle.





Astros-Tigers finale a reunion for Keuchel, Smyly
Former college housemates to square off as Detroit seeks sweep

By Matt Slovin / MLB.com | 5/7/2014 11:05 PM ET

Former college housemates will oppose each other Thursday as Drew Smyly and the Tigers try to complete a four-game sweep of Dallas Keuchel's Astros.

Southpaws Smyly and Keuchel, who played together at Arkansas, caught up over lunch at "Toast" in the Detroit suburb of Birmingham this week. The 24-year-old Smyly is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA, while Keuchel is off to a 2-2 start to go with a 3.96 ERA.

"We just reminisced on stuff that I forgot that he reminded me of, and stuff that he forgot that I reminded him of," Keuchel said. "It's good to see him face-to-face instead of talking on the phone."

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long reached out to both pitchers this week, and Keuchel said he's sure the city of Fayetteville, Ark., will be keeping an eye on what happens at Comerica Park on Thursday.

Smyly said his old friend carries with him a certain energy that helps to liven up the atmosphere wherever he plays -- certainly a welcomed trait considering Houston's rough start.

"Our clubhouse [at Arkansas] was awesome," said Keuchel, whom Smyly described as a "clown." "Drew was one of those guys who was real quiet, but he'd jab at somebody and it would be really funny and the whole clubhouse would start laughing. He's really sneaky."

Keuchel, the Razorbacks' prankster, remembered placing a bucket of water above Smyly's bedroom door. Smyly was the quiet one, which reflects his nonchalant attitude about facing a buddy.

If you ask Smyly, they aren't even really the ones battling.

"I'm facing his team, not him," Smyly said. "It's exciting for Arkansas fans, with two former Hog players starting against each other. But I don't even look into it. It's just his team."

Keuchel agreed, but that's not to say he isn't happy about getting the chance to catch up.

"We had some good times [in college]," Keuchel said. "Some of those memories I'll never trade for anything."

Astros: Villar should be back Thursday
Shortstop Jonathan Villar is expected to return to the lineup Thursday after being out of the lineup Wednesday with what manager Bo Porter said was a jammed right thumb.

Villar has been one of the team's biggest bright spots this year, hitting .250 with five homers and 13 RBIs. He went 0-for-3 on Tuesday to snap a five-game hitting streak. He had reached base safely in 11 consecutive games prior to Tuesday.

Villar entered Wednesday leading the team in home runs, slugging percentage (.510) and OPS (.822), and he led all American League shortstops in home runs and extra-base hits (14), while ranking second in OPS.

Tigers: Sanchez to pick up intensity in second bullpen session
Anibal Sanchez showed off his right hand, where the ruptured blister on his right middle finger a week and a half ago created an ugly laceration and a stint on the disabled list.

"It looks normal," Sanchez said Wednesday with a smile.

Now comes the process of getting the right-hander's pitching back to normal. At this point, that timetable is still a little unclear.

Sanchez threw approximately 50 pitches Tuesday in what manager Brad Ausmus called a light bullpen session. He's scheduled to throw another session on Thursday, when he'll pick up the intensity a bit.

Worth noting
• The Astros have been outscored, 28-14, in the first inning this season.

• Miguel Cabrera had just two home runs through the season's first 27 games, but he has doubled his season total with one in each of the past two games.

Matt Slovin is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.






INJURY UPDATE:


• Dirks, Andy (LF) (Recovering from March 2014 back surgery, on the 60-day disabled list, Due Back: Possibly June)

• Hanrahan, Joel (P) (Recovery from 2013 Tommy John surgery, Placed on 15-day DL on May 2, Due Back: Possibly June)

• Iglesias, Jose (SS) (Stress fractures in both shins, 60-day disabled list, Due Back: Possibly late 2014)

• Putkonen, Luke (P) (Right elbow inflammation, Placed on 15-day DL on April 21, retroactive to April 19, Due Back: Possibly week of May 5)

• Rondon, Bruce (P) (Tommy John surgery-Right elbow, 60-day disabled list, Due Back: 2015)

• Sanchez, Anibal (P) (lacerated right middle finger, Placed on 15-day DL on April 26, Due Back: Possibly mid-May)



On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
•  SCOREBOARD
•  Official Press Pass game notes


On television

• , MLBN


• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

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• XM Channel Schedule





• Friday, May 9:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (4-1, 2.68 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Phil Hughes (3-1, 4.72 ERA))
7:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)


• Saturday, May 10:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (4-1, 1.72 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Kyle Gibson (3-2, 3.50 ERA))
1:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN , FM 97.1)


• Sunday, May 11:
TIGERS: (LHP Robbie Ray (1-0, 1.69 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Samuel Deduno (0-2, 3.42 ERA))
1:08p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)


Mon, 5/12 at Orioles 7:05p FS-D, FM 97.1
Tue, 5/13 at Orioles 7:05p FS-D, MLBN, FM 97.1
Wed, 5/14 at Orioles 12:35p FS-D, MLBN, FM 97.1

Thu, 5/15 OFF DAY
Fri, 5/16 at Red Sox 7:10p FS-D, MLBN, FM 97.1
Sat, 5/17 at Red Sox 7:10p FS-D, MLBN, FM 97.1
Sun, 5/18 at Red Sox 8:05p ESPN, FM 97.1

Mon, 5/19 at Indians 7:05p FS-D, ESPN, FM 97.1
Tue, 5/20 at Indians 7:05p FS-D, FM 97.1
Wed, 5/21 at Indians 12:05p FS-D, FM 97.1

STARTING LINEUPS:

ASTROS

   Jose Altuve, 2B
   Jonathan Villar, SS
   Dexter Fowler, CF
   Jesus Guzman, 1B
   Chris Carter, DH
   George Springer, RF
   Matt Dominguez, 3B
   Carlos Corporan, C
   L.J. Hoes, LF

P: Dallas Keuchel


TIGERS (career numbers vs. Keuchel)

   Rajai Davis, LF (0-for-3)
   Ian Kinsler, 2B (5-for-15, HR, 2 walks, K)
   Miguel Cabrera, DH (1-for-4, 2 walks)
   Victor Martinez, 1B (0-for-3, K)
   J.D. Martinez, RF
   Austin Jackson, CF (2-for-3, double, K)
   Nick Castellanos, 3B
   Bryan Holaday, C
   Danny Worth, SS

P: Drew Smyly

Top 9

• 1.Chris Carter pops out to third baseman Nick Castellanos in foul territory.
  
• 2.George Springer walks.
  
• 3.Matt Dominguez homers (5) on a fly ball to left field. George Springer scores.
  
• 4.Carlos Corporan flies out to left fielder Rajai Davis.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Alex Presley replaces L. J. Hoes.
  
• 5.Alex Presley flies out to right fielder J. D. Martinez.
  

Bottom 9

• Alex Presley remains in the game as the left fielder.
  
• Pitching Change: Chad Qualls replaces Anthony Bass.
  
• 1.Victor Martinez grounds out, first baseman Jesus Guzman to pitcher Chad Qualls.
  
• 2.J. D. Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dexter Fowler.
  
• 3.Austin Jackson grounds into a double play, shortstop Jonathan Villar to second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman Jesus Guzman. D. Martinez out at 2nd.
  

TIGERS LOSE 2-6

BOX SCORE

W: Keuchel (3-2)
L: Smyly (2-2)

Pitches-strikes: Keuchel 106-79, Bass 2-1, Qualls 7-6, Smyly 91-58, Reed, E 18-10, Miller, J 26-15.
Groundouts-flyouts: Keuchel 13-1, Bass 1-0, Qualls 2-0, Smyly 4-5, Reed, E 3-0, Miller, J 0-3.
Batters faced: Keuchel 29, Bass 1, Qualls 3, Smyly 23, Reed, E 5, Miller, J 8.
Inherited runners-scored: Bass 1-0, Reed, E 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Mike Muchlinski. 1B: Mike Winters. 2B: Andy Fletcher. 3B: Seth Buckminster.
Weather: 77 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, In from LF.
T: 2:37.
Att: 35,643.
Venue: Comerica Park.
May 8, 2014