Ronel Blanco faces the tough Jack Flaherty in the Opener of a three-game series in Houston. At 18-10, the Tigers are first in the AL Central while the Astros, at 14-13, are third in the AL West, 1.5 games behind Seattle and a half game behind the Texas Rangers.

The Tigers’ offense is 11th in MLB OPS at .717, and the Astros are 25th at .647. Spencer Torkelson, .930 OPS, eight homers. and Zach McKinstry, .920 OPS, lead the Tigers.

In pitching, the Tigers staff is second in team ERA at 2.80, while the Astros staff is fourth at 3.18. The Tigers’ five starters have the following ERAs: 2.34, 2.63, 3.29, 2.12, 2.70. (Tariq Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Jackson Jobe, respectively.) Expect Flaherty, Olson, and Jobe on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Looks like it’s a bad week for the Astros’ bats to stop sniffing glue.

Lineups below: