To kick off the 2024 MLB Postseason, the Detroit Tigers strolled into Minute Maid and pounced on the experienced Houston Astros, sweeping them in two games and advancing to the ALDS.

Game 1

The scoring started early in the top of the second inning. Detroit knocked around Framber Valdez with three straight RBI singles by Jake Rogers, Trey Sweeney, and Matt Vierling to put the Tigers up 3-0.

Unfortunately for Detroit, that was all she wrote for the offense, as Hector Neris, Bryan King, Ronel Blanco, Caleb Ferguson, and Josh Hader held the Tigers lineup to zero runs the rest of the way.

As for Detroit’s pitching, two words sum it up: Tarik Skubal.

The AL Pitching Triple Crown winner carried the Tigers on his back in his first career postseason start, shutting down the Astros lineup with six scoreless innings.

Skubal’s final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Will Vest took over in the seventh and promptly shoved for 1.2 innings, racking up four strikeouts, with Tyler Holton finishing off the eighth inning.

Jason Foley was called upon to close the game in the ninth, something he’s done 28 times in the regular season. What followed was a double by Yordan Alvarez, a single by Alex Bergman, an RBI single by Yanier Diaz, and a sacrifice bunt by Jeremy Pena, before he was lifted for Beau Brieske with runners on second and third with one out.

Jason Heyward stood as Houston’s final chance with bases loaded and two outs. On a 2-2 count, Heyward lined out to Torkelson at first base to end the game and go down 1-0 in the series.

Game 2

The Detroit native Hunter Brown toed the rubber in a must-win Game 2 for the Astros, coming off the heels of an impressive sophomore season where he posted a 3.49 ERA in 170 innings.

Brown’s final line: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

The only blemish against Brown was a solo home run by Parker Meadows in an otherwise fantastic start.

As for Detroit, A.J Hinch called upon Tyler Holton as the opener and navigated the Houston lineup via a bullpen game. Holton, Hanifee, Hurter, Brieske, Jobe, Guenther, and Vest trotted onto the mound one by one to retire Astros batters.

22-year-old rookie Jackson Jobe was the only Tigers pitcher to surrender a run, with two earned runs in just 0.1 innings pitched.

The offense in this game began in the sixth inning with the aforementioned Parker Meadows home run putting the Tigers on the board 1-0.

A fielders choice and sac fly by Jon Singleton and Victor Caratini put the Astros up 2-1 in the seventh. Detroit immediately answered in the top of the eighth, tying the game with a wild pitch by Ryan Pressly, scoring Kerry Carpenter.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, the Astros’ $95 million man Josh Hader stood on the mound in attempt to keep the game tied. Andy Ibanez on the other hand, had different plans as he sent a two-out, two-strike pitch down the left field line, clearing the bases and giving the Tigers a 5-2 lead, effectively ending the series.

With this Tigers win, the Astros’ streak of seven consecutive ALCS appearances comes to an end. Detroit will now face off against their in division rival Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS.

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