Tigers upset Astros in wild-card series; Houston misses ALCS for first time in 8 years

The American League Championship Series has been an invitational tournament for the Houston Astros since 2016, but things will look a little different this year.

A red-hot Detroit Tigers team defeated Houston with a 5-2 victory in the American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday, defeating the Astros in a best-of-three set.

Houston took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after trailing 1-0 early in the frame. But a Kyle Tucker double play ended the rally, and the plucky Tigers were back at it, battling perhaps the best back end of a bullpen in the sport.

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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a run against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card Round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)

With one out, Detroit hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners, and a wild pitch by Ryan Pressly tied the game. Pressly allowed a two-out walk, prompting Astros manager Joe Espada to bring in Josh Hader. But after the dominant closer walked his first batter, Andy Ibanez ripped one down the left field line, clearing the bases and giving Detroit a 5-2 lead.

Detroit played a complete bullpen game and seven different pitchers took the ball and picked up the win.

Houston went with Hunter Brown, who threw 5⅔ innings of one-run ball. When you give Pressly and Hader the ball, good things usually happen. But Wednesday was a rare exception.

The Tigers, sellers at the trade deadline, finished the season 31-13 in their final 44 games, securing the 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 to score a run against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card Round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)

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But for some reason they keep winning. It also doesn’t hurt to have the likely Cy Young Award winner in Tarik Skubal. He finished Houston’s lineup with six scoreless innings in Game 1 on Tuesday, and Detroit picked up its first postseason win since 2014.

This year was the last time Houston managed to reach the ALDS on Wednesday. Houston’s championship series streak was the second longest in MLB history, only eight in a row, which the Atlanta Braves managed in the 1990s.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch also defeated his former team. Hinch led the Astros from 2015 to 2019 before being fired after the infamous sign-stealing scandal came to light.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Vest (19) and catcher Jake Rogers (34) celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 of a wild-card series in the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)

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It remains to be seen whether Alex Bregman has played his final game for the Astros. He will be a free agent after the season.

Detroit will have a date with AL Central rival Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS. Detroit lost this season series 7-6.

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