Troy Melton Scratched Before Tigers Vs Astros Opener

Troy Melton was scratched before tigers vs astros on Monday night, and Drew Anderson was named the opener for Detroit at Daikin Park. The Tigers entered Game 73 on a two-game losing streak, so the pitching change hit the first game of the trip in Houston before first pitch.

Melton Out, Anderson In

The Tigers had planned to send Melton to the mound for the opener, but the right-hander was removed and Anderson took over the assignment. That change came with the matchup already set for 8:10 p.m. ET, turning the first game of the series into a different look before the teams even took the field.

Melton’s line still stood at 3-0 with a 2.81 ERA, the kind of numbers that made him the original choice for the start. Anderson now gets the opening job in his place, and Detroit will have to navigate the game with a different early plan against Houston’s order.

Kai-Wei Teng At Daikin Park

Houston had Kai-Wei Teng lined up to start, carrying a 3-5 record and a 3.71 ERA into the matchup. The Astros were coming off a series win over the Kansas City Royals before dropping Sunday’s finale, so both clubs reached Monday with some momentum to protect and some ground to make back.

Detroit’s recent stretch added more pressure to the opener. The Tigers had dropped two straight, and this series began after a weather-shortened road set against the Cleveland Guardians that ended with only two games played and a de facto sweep by Cleveland.

For the Tigers, the immediate task is simple: adjust to the new opener and try to stop the slide in a game that already carried a postseason-style edge because of the rotation switch. Melton’s scratch changes the first inning plan, and Anderson now becomes the first arm Houston sees in Game 73.