The Houston Astros (88-73) will begin the 2024 postseason on Tuesday inside Minute Maid Park in the Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers (86-76).
The best-of-three series will all be played in Houston, as the Astros earned the number three seed in the American League playoffs. The Tigers enter as the number six seed, having earned a Wild Card spot.
All three games are scheduled for a 1:32 first pitch and can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles. Major League Baseball can change the start time of the if necessary game three depending on the results of the other series.
A FAMILIAR FOE
The Detroit Tigers are managed by AJ Hinch, former manager of the Astros. Hinch won the World Series in 2017 but was let go after news of the sign-stealing scandal went public. He has revitalized his career and had the Tigers on an incredible run to make this year’s postseason. He is a good friend of Astros’ current manager Joe Espada.
ONE BIG BAT
The Astros have been anxiously awaiting news on whether or not star slugger Yordan Alvarez would be available to play in this series. He has been battling an injury but has been announced as a member of the series roster. In addition, he is in the starting lineup for game one on Tuesday.
ADVERSITY OVERCAME
The Astros pitching rotation was decimated with injuries throughout the first few months of the season. However, some reliable arms stepped up and some new faces emerged as well to fill in. The Astros now enter the playoffs with one of the most effective rotations of any team on paper. With that being said, they still need to produce here when the games count the most.
STAT LEADERS
Houston Astros
HR: Yordan Alvarez (35)
RBI: Yordan Alvarez (86)
Wins Above Replacement: Yordan Alvarez (5.4)
ERA: Ronel Blanco (2.80)
Wins: Framber Valdez (15)
Strikeouts: Hunter Brown (179)
Saves: Josh Hader (34)
Detroit Tigers
HR: Riley Greene (24)
RBI: Riley Greene (74)
Wins Above Replacement: Riley Greene (5.4)
ERA: Tarik Skubal (2.39)
Wins: Tarik Skubal (18)
Strikeouts: Tarik Skubal (228)
Saves: Jason Foley (28)
PITCHING MATCHUPS:
Game One: Framber Valdez (Hou) vs Tarik Skubal (Det)
Game Two: TBD
Game Three (If Necessary): TBD
