The American League Championship Series has been an invitation-only event for the Houston Astros since 2016, but things will be a little different this year.
A red-hot Detroit Tigers team defeated Houston in the American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday, outscoring the Astros in three sets and winning 5-2.
After trailing 1-0, Houston started the frame with a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. But a Kyle Tucker double play crushed the rally, and the gritty Tigers battled back against perhaps the best bullpen back end in the sport.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, 20, hits an RBI in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the Wild Card Round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Celebrate with your mates. (Thomas Shea/Imagine Images)
With one out, Detroit hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners, and Ryan Pressley's wild pitch tied the game. Pressley allowed a two-out walk, prompting Astros manager Joe Espada to bring in Josh Hader. But after the dominant closer gave up a walk to the first batter, Andy Ibanez hit a single down the left field line, sweeping it out and giving Detroit a 5-2 lead.
Detroit went all out from its bullpen, with seven different pitchers contributing to the win.
Houston started Hunter Brown, who pitched five and a third innings and threw one-run ball. Usually when you give the ball to Presley and Hader, good things happen. But Wednesday was a rare exception.
Sellers at the trade deadline, the Tigers finished the season with 31 wins and 13 losses in their final 44 games, earning them sixth and final spot in the American League postseason standings. At one point in August, they were 11 games out of a postseason berth.
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, 20, slides for an RBI in the bottom of the 8th inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card Round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Ta. (Thomas Shea/Imagine Images)
Padres' Fernando Tatis JR. thrills the crowd with a home run and leads the team to victory in Game 1
But somehow they keep winning. It wouldn't be a bad idea to acquire Cy Young Award candidate Tarik Skubal. In Game 1 on Tuesday, he shut out Houston's batting lineup for six scoreless innings, giving Detroit its first postseason victory since 2014.
This year was the last time Houston didn't reach the ALDS until Wednesday. Houston's Championship Series winning streak is the second longest in MLB history, behind the Atlanta Braves' eight-game winning streak in the 1990s.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch also defeated his former team. Hinch was the Astros manager from 2015 to 2019, but was fired after the infamous sign-stealing scandal came to light.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Best, 19, and catcher Jake Rodgers, 34, defeat the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. be happy. (Thomas Shea/Imagine Images)
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It remains to be seen whether Alex Bregman played his final game with the Astros. He will become a free agent after the season.
Detroit will play their American League Central Division rival, the Cleveland Guardians, in the ALDS. Detroit lost that season series 7-6.
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