Motor City series a homecoming for Bass

DETROIT -- This week's series against the Tigers at Comerica Park marks a homecoming for Astros reliever Anthony Bass, who grew up in the Detroit suburb of Trenton and attended Wayne State University in Detroit. He had played at Comerica in high school, but Monday marked his first appearance in the ballpark as a Major Leaguer.

"It's pretty surreal," Bass said. "I'm just excited to be back here. To be back here and play against the team I rooted for growing up is pretty cool."

Bass, obtained by the Astros in a trade with the Padres in December, said he had tons of family members and friends from high school and college -- as well as some former coaches -- coming to watch him play at different points throughout the series.

His favorite Tigers player growing up was Cecil Fielder, who he saw play at old Tiger Stadium.

"I just used to watch them in the postseason, because it seems like they were always there," Bass said. "Being from this area, it was always fun. I remember when I was a kid, getting my first baseball [at Tiger Stadium]. I grew up a big Tigers fan, so it was cool watching them play back in the day."