At first blush, the challenge facing the Houston Astros over the opening four games of their 10-game homestand seems minor when taking into consideration the opponent is the Detroit Tigers.

The rebuilding Tigers entered the series having lost 27 of 36 games since the All-Star break, and they featured three rookies plus three others with fewer than 450 career plate appearances in their starting lineup Monday. (MORE)

Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland has started three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks this season.

None have gone well. (MORE)

After their four-game winning streak was snapped by the Chicago White Sox in the series opener Monday, the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins will turn to right-hander Michael Pineda in Game 2 of the three-game series on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Pineda (8-5, 4.20 ERA), who missed the entire 2018 season following Tommy John surgery, has arguably been the Twins' most consistent starter over the past two months. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 14 of his last 15 starts and has won two of his past three starts, including a 13-6 victory at Texas on Thursday. (MORE)

The Texas Rangers have a treasure trove of young left-handers trying to break into the major leagues. They plan to start two more against the Los Angeles Angels in a doubleheader Tuesday at Arlington, Tex.

Kolby Allard made his fourth major-league start on Monday night and the rookie southpaw struggled through the first two innings before departing after five. The Rangers rallied from an early 7-1 deficit to send the game to extra innings and win 8-7 in the 11th. (MORE)