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HOUSTON – One down.

One to take away.

The Detroit Tigers earned a thrilling 3-1 win over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday. It was the opening game of the 2024 MLB playoffs.

But it didn't come without breath-holding drama.

At the end of the ninth, the Tigers had a 3-0 lead and Tigers coach AJ Hinch turned to goalkeeper Jason Foley.

Yordan Alvarez doubled off the left field wall and Alex Bregman hit an infield single.

Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter came to the mound before Foley faced Yainer Diaz, who dribbled a grounder to the right side after an RBI single The foul tip for the third shot was lifted.

With runners on second and third with one out each, Hinch passed Foley and turned to Beau Brieske.

He got Victor Caratini to move to left field and then walked Chas McCormick to load the bases.

But Jason Heyward hit a line against Spencer Torkelson at first base until the end of the game.

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The Tigers can defeat the Astros and advance to the ALDS with a win on Wednesday in Game 2 (2:32 p.m., ABC).

The starting players have yet to be announced.

Game 3 may take place on Thursday at the same time and location. The Cleveland Guardians await the series winner in Game 1 on Saturday.

Tigers left-hander and AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal threw six shutout innings in his playoff debut after becoming the first pitcher in 13 years to win the AL Pitching Triple Crown in a full season.

Here's something else that stood out from Tuesday's heartbreaking game:

Tarik Skubal's brilliance

Skubal was brilliant on Tuesday afternoon.

In the biggest game of his life, Skubal overcame the nerves of his playoff debut, overcame a line drive that ripped off his glove, fought his way out of trouble a few times and shut down the Astros.

Skubal pitched six scoreless innings, dishing out four hits, striking out six and striking out 88 pitches (64 strikes) for the Tigers, 3-0.

But there were some strange scares.

The Tigers were perfectly pitched in the second inning. They had a 3-0 lead and Skubal's pitch count was ridiculously low – he only threw five pitches in the first inning.

But the Tigers suffered a scare when Diaz Skubal missed a line drive back and his glove came off. For a moment it looked as if Skubal was injured, and he looked disappointed and dejected.

But he stayed in the game and struck out Jeremy Peña.

“He just needed a breather,” Hinch told ABC in the fourth inning.

“He’s fine,” Hinch added. “He has a great competitive button.”

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On September 12, Skubal experienced a similar scare when he was hit in the right (non-throwing) hand after a drive by Brenton Doyle against the Colorado Rockies.

But he managed to avoid serious injury both times.

And he showed that competitive spirit late in the game.

Skubal ran into big trouble in the fourth inning, facing Pena with two on and one out.

Pitching coach Chris Fetter came to the mound for a visit and appeared to calm Skubal. He struck out Peña and then retired Caratini.

There was another strange scare in the sixth inning when Skubal stopped the game and called Rogers to the mound.

Hinch and a trainer came out to check on Skubal, and he threw a warmup toss to make sure he was OK.

Then Bregman hit a single high off the left field wall, narrowly missing a home run.

But Skubal got out of trouble by striking Diaz on three pitches, his last a 99 mph fastball over the zone, and he roared.

Hustle and bustle pays off with a rally

Parker Meadows' legs played a subtle but crucial role in helping the Tigers take an early lead.

In the second inning, he struck out for the first time and struck out a pitch, preventing a double play that would have ended the inning.

And it seemed to delight the Tigers.

At least it kept the door open.

Jake Rogers, Trey Sweeney and Matt Vierling all singled with two outs to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

And it all started with Meadows charging down first base, a topic that gained momentum in early August when third base coach Joey Cora called an “intensive” team meeting on baserunning.

Playoff newcomers?! So what?

Going into this game, the disparity in playoff experience between the Tigers and Astros was startling.

Vierling was the only Tiger on the playoff roster with postseason experience (he played in 12 playoff games for Philadelphia in 2022).

The Astros now had plenty of experience across their entire roster.

It was Jose Altuve's 104th playoff game and he had 476 plate appearances.

Bregman? It was his 98th playoff game.

But it was the playoff newcomers and MLB's youngest team that made the plays, scored the hits, drove in runs and made the big pitches.

The Tigers showed no playoff reservations.

No crumbling under pressure.

They just grabbed it.

And got a string of singles that turned into runs to take the early lead.

And they maintained this composure in the powerful ninth game.

Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff.

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On By John Fenwick

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