Tigers Take Wild Card Series Opener from Astros

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

October 1, 2024

Tigers 3, Astros 1

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Houston Astros, 3–1, in the first game of the AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday. They did so with a combination of great pitching by Tarik Skubal and RBI singles by Jake Rogers, Trey Sweeney, and Matt Vierling. With a quick turnaround, the Tigers will try to win this best-of-three set and move on to face the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS. First pitch for Game Two of the AL Wild Card Series will be at 1:32 pm Central at Minute Maid Park. Starting pitchers for both teams have yet to be announced.

Low-Scoring Affair

The Tigers were in control for the majority of the afternoon. All three of their runs came in the top of the second against Astros lefty Framber Valdez. A sharp single to right by Wenceel Perez set the table. Up next was Spencer Torkelson, who drew a free pass. Parker Meadows followed by grounding into a 4–6 force play, advancing Perez to third and Torkelson to second. Moments later, Perez scored on a single to center by Rogers. Sweeney plated Meadows with a single lined to center. On deck was Vierling, who scored Rogers with a third consecutive single up the middle.

The Astros snuck in their lone run of the game in the bottom of the ninth. With reliever Jason Foley on the mound for the Tigers, Yordan Alvarez led off with a double to left. Zach Dezenzo came off the bench to pinch-run for Alvarez. Moments later, Alex Bregman hit an infield single to short that was out of the reach of Sweeney. The next batter was Yainer Diaz, who drove in Dezenzo with a single to right.

What Went Right for the Tigers

The Tigers had several things go right on Tuesday. There were the three RBI base hits by Rogers, Sweeney, and Vierling. They also had a strong performance by their pitching staff. After Skubal made his exit at the end of the sixth, the bullpen came through with 2 2/3 scoreless frames.

Another thing they did really well was keeping their composure. Minute Maid Park is not an easy place to play for a visiting team, especially during the postseason. Astros fans can be quite rambunctious and vocal at times.

What Went Wrong for the Tigers

The Tigers turned eight scoreless innings against the Astros. That’s not an easy feat for any club. Their only roadblock of the afternoon was the single by Diaz in the ninth that drove in Dezenzo.

Six Scoreless Innings for Skubal

Tigers starter Tarik Skubal notched the first playoff win of his career on Tuesday, giving him a record of 1–0 with a 0.00 ERA in the 2024 postseason. He surrendered four hits and one walk to go along with his six strikeouts. Right-hander Beau Brieske earned his first save of the postseason after entering to get the final out in the ninth.

Short Afternoon for Valdez

Astros starter Framber Valdez was saddled with the loss after tossing 4 1/3 innings. He surrendered three runs, all earned, on seven hits. Valdez walked two and struck out three. His record for the 2024 postseason sits at 0–1 with an ERA of 6.23.

Hinch’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch reflected on how his team played in the series opener. “That’s who we are,” Hinch said. “I don’t want to gloss over that because I’m proud of this group because it’s exactly who we are and exactly how we talk.” He added, “We talk about pressure on the bases, and about good at-bats. We talk about tossing the baton. All those things came through with Tarik (Skubal) on the mound, too. I don’t think it’s a small thing today in the first playoff game from a lot of these guys that it looked eerily familiar to the last two months.”

Hinch also said there was some some concern when he sent Skubal back out for the sixth. “100 percent panic, he said. I’m going out there to see what’s going on with this guy. It’s just the same exact thing. And the 6th was different. Sorry. The ball off his glove was the same exact thing that happened a couple weeks ago. He needed a second to capture himself. And then I saw him uncomfortable, cramping was the main issue, and he felt like he was about to be in a full body cramp. So once he could take a deep breath, I felt a lot better when he said the word ‘cramp.'”

Skubal’s Postgame Comments

Skubal discussed the environment that he pitched in on Tuesday after the game. “Yeah. I mean, that was a great environment, he said. Obviously, the history with this team, seven straight ALCSs, I think it speaks for itself, right, the guys they’ve got over there too. A ton of talent. They handle left-handed pitching really well. It was a good challenge. It was a ton of fun. I enjoyed it. It’s probably the most nervous I’ve been since my debut. That was also fun to deal with. What a game. It was fun, glad to come out with a win”

He also addressed the soreness he was feeling in the middle innings. “Yeah, just cramp, left hamstring, he said. “I’ve had it before. And for whatever reason, that’s where I cramp when I kind of get dehydrated. But, yeah, I mean, I feel fine. I’m not really worried about it going forward. That at-bat probably went longer than I wanted it to. Then having to get another out. It’s okay. I feel good now.”