The Houston Astros try to break out of a funk on offense against one of baseball's top pitchers in Detroit's Tarik Skubal.

The Houston Astros have their work cut out for themselves to take this series after falling in Monday's opener with the Detroit Tigers.

While the winner won't automatically earn the Cy Young, it would be a great boost to their candidacy. But in Skubal's ideal world, he wouldn't have to face Brown, as he wishes that Brown were suiting up for the Tigers instead of pitching against them.

The Tigers' bats began to come alive in the fourth inning in support of Flaherty. Wenceel Perez blasted his 10th home run, off losing pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

It's strong praise from Skubal, as he says Brown's stuff is the ideal repertoire for a starting pitcher. But that wasn't all Skubal had to say about Brown, as he also wished that Brown could be a Tiger rather than facing him as an Astro.

An All-Star pitching matchup will provide more intrigue to a showdown of American League division leaders in Detroit on Tuesday.

The Astros were shut out for the second consecutive game and third time in four nights as their offensive struggles continued in Detroit.

AJ Hinch knows better than to take for granted the incredible support the Tigers have been getting from their fans.