In the Tigers clubhouse: Players revel in the “electric” atmosphere of the home playoff opener

DETROIT — As Comerica Park was at its best Wednesday afternoon — with a postseason-record 44,885 fans waving orange towels and screaming — Jake Rogers thought about the ballpark at its worst.

The Tigers' catcher – a veteran in his fourth season with the team – has seen the club at its lowest ebb, with attendance matching its 96- and 114-loss seasons.

But that made the atmosphere of the Tigers' ALDS Game 3 victory over the Guardians all the better.

“I saw it empty,” Rogers said. “I did. I can tell you I'd rather have that every time. It was exciting, one through nine, they were booing the boys and cheering for us, that's what you want as an opposing team and as a home team. All of those Seeing over 40,000 fans waving orange towels and making them happy is what we want to achieve as a team.”

The Tigers had to play four playoff games on the road, two in Houston and two in Cleveland, before making their home playoff debut on Wednesday. However, that wait was short compared to the decade Tigers fans had waited to see playoff baseball in their city.

The long wait provided plenty of preparation to see what the playoff atmosphere would be like in Detroit, and Tigers fans were not disappointed.

“They knew it was coming,” Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson said. “You knew they were going to show up and be loud and they didn’t disappoint. It feels like we have so much fun playing in front of so many screaming people and I'm sure it's difficult playing as a visiting team. So it definitely gives us an advantage and yeah, I’m super happy.”

Here's what else Tigers players had to say after their win on Wednesday:

Matt Vierling on his 7th gradeTh-Inning catch that ended the inning:

“I’m just trying to be ready for the ball. I know (David Fry) really likes to pull the ball, I know he's trying to get his head out. I was just prepared for whatever came my way and really didn’t think, I just had to react.”

Torkelson on his RBI double after an 0-14 start to the postseason:

“This is baseball. It sometimes takes a hit, a single grab, to feel what you want to feel and right now, wins are the most important thing and it definitely feels good to contribute to those wins.”

Rogers on the team's mentality one win away from the ALCS:

“A long time ago, when the chance (of making the playoffs) was 0.2 percent, you thought, 'We have nothing to lose, let's keep our heads down.' It's a cliche but let's just keep winning, who knows what can happen? And here we are, an away win, and I think we still have that mentality.”

Colt Keith on his approach to Game 4:

“I'm just going to sleep, come back and hopefully score a few goals and help this team win. Come here like any other day and try to win.”

Brant Hurter on whether he could have imagined being the winning pitcher in a Tigers home playoff game when he was in Toledo earlier this season:

“I would have been shocked. Things didn't seem to be going well for the Tigers on either side and my throwing technique wasn't particularly good. So I think, yeah, I would have been a little surprised, but nothing is off the table in baseball either.

Torkelson on AJ Hinch's leadership change:

“We have so much confidence in AJ. He's a master at handling our pitching staff and this team. And we know when he gets out there, you know we trust every single move he's going to make. And it goes both ways. The people who come in do the work for him. That’s why they deserve a lot of recognition.”

Hinch on his team's offense:

“In October, as a player you are one step away from having a completely different emotional reaction. You come up with a big hit, you come up with a big walk, you move a runner. You do little things offensively to contribute to the run scoring and you feel better about your day.”