Spring Training Game 26 Preview/Thread: Astros at Tigers

Houston Astros at Detroit Tigers

Time/Place: 6:00 p.m., Joker Marchant Stadium

SB Nation Blog: Crawfish Boxes

Media: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Pitching Matchup: RHP Lucas Harrell (11-11, 3.76 ERA in 2012) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64 ERA in 2012)

Tigers also scheduled to pitch: RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Bruce Rondon, RHP Al Alburquerque

Astros also scheduled to pitch:

Tigers lineup: Jackson 8, Hunter 9, Cabrera 5, Fielder 3, Martinez dh, Berry 7, Peralta 6, Avila 2, Infante 4

Astros lineup:

Things to know about Lucas Harrell:

• He was excellent in his last start against the Washington Nationals, throwing four shutout innings before leaving with what seemed like a minor groin injury, something that he has apparently dealt with before.
• His legs are roughly 90% of his body, which would probably make his groin more susceptible to getting injured. Case-in-point: Little Nicky Punto's effort gland.
• He is very good at dodging broken bats.
• He relies primarily on a two-seam fastball to get ground ball outs, an approach that the Astros organization as a whole seems to be moving toward. He used his offspeed pitches sparingly, as in less than 30% of the time overall, in 2012.
• He will completely dominate the Tigers lineup for seven innings at least one time during the regular season.