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Tigers vs Astros AL Wildcard Live Score: Updates, Highlights, Channel

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For the first time since 2014, the Detroit Tigers will play in a playoff game.

The Tigers face the Houston Astros in the first game of the American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday afternoon at Minute Maid Park. Detroit reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade after clinching the final wild-card spot with a 31-17 record since early August. On the other hand, Houston was dominant in the second half and clinched the AL West crown en route to an eighth straight AL Championship Series berth.

The Tigers will have AL pitching Triple Crown winner Tarik Skubal in Game 1. Skubal set a goal of starting Game 1 of the playoffs on the first day of spring training and will do so after putting together a Cy Young-worthy campaign. He will face Houston's top left-hander Framber Valdez, who was third in the American League with a 2.91 ERA.

Watch Tigers-Astros on Fubo (Free Trial)

All three possible wild card series games will take place in Houston because the Astros have the higher seed. The Tigers must play two of three road games in the Tuesday-Thursday series to advance to the ALDS and face the Cleveland Guardians.

First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 2:32 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC and available to stream on Fubo (free trial). Follow below for live Tigers-Astros playoff updates.

Game notes and highlights follow.

ANALYSIS: 3 reasons why the Detroit Tigers can win the World Series – and 3 reasons why they can't

Tigers vs. Astros pregame notes

The Tigers put together a magical run that will long be remembered to break the playoff drought. Everything fell into place as the Tigers rose thanks to top-notch pitching, timely hitting and good management from AJ Hinch while the Minnesota Twins faltered.

To build on this run and achieve playoff success, the Tigers will need to prevail against one of the modern MLB giants. The Astros have been one of the final four teams standing for seven straight seasons with four World Series appearances and two rings and still have most of their championship roster intact. They started 2024 slowly, but finished the season 63-40 since June 1, won the AL West and entered October as legitimate World Series contenders.

The matchup in Game 1 should be a pitching duel. Skubal had a 2.39 ERA and Valdez had a 2.91 ERA in the regular season. Additionally, the Tigers won in 21 of Skubal's 31 starts, while the Astros won in 19 of Valdez's 28 starts. Houston's lineup will be at full strength as Yordan Alvarez will be active after missing the final week of the season with a knee sprain, while Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman round out the front four of Houston's lineup.

More: Justin Verlander left the Houston Astros' wild-card squad against the Detroit Tigers

What channel is Tigers vs. Astros Game 1 on?

What: Game 1 of the Wild Card Series of the MLB American League Playoffs.

When: 2:32 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Minute Maid Park in Houston.

TV: ABC.

Live stream: On Fubo (free trial).

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) in Detroit (Tigers radio affiliate); nationally on ESPN Radio.

Detroit Tigers lineup

  1. Matt Vierling 3B
  2. Justyn Henry-Malloy DH
  3. Riley Greene LF
  4. Andy Ibanez 2B
  5. Wenceel Perez RF
  6. Spencer Torkelson 1B
  7. Parker Meadows CF
  8. Jake Rogers C
  9. Trey Sweeney SS

Houston Astros lineup

  1. Jose Altuve 2B
  2. Kyle Tucker RF
  3. Yordan Alvarez DH
  4. Alex Bregman 3B
  5. Yainer Diaz C
  6. Jeremy Peña SS
  7. Victor Caratini 1B
  8. Mauricio Dubon LF
  9. Jake Meyers CF

The Tigers decided to cut pitchers Kenta Maeda and Keider Montero from the playoff roster. Here's who made the 26-man roster.

Jake Rogers (C), Dillon Dingler (C), Andy Ibáñez (2B/3B), Colt Keith (2B), Jace Jung (3B), Zach McKinstry (UTIL), Trey Sweeney (SS), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Matt Vierling (3B/OF), Riley Greene (OF), Parker Meadows (CF), Kerry Carpenter (OF/DH), Wenceel Pérez (OF), Justyn-Henry Malloy (DH/OF), Beau Brieske (RHP), Jason Foley (RHP), Sean Guenther (LHP), Brenan Hanifee (RHP), Tyler Holton (LHP), Brant Hurter (LHP), Jackson Jobe (RHP), Ty Madden (RHP), Casey Mize (RHP), Reese Olson (RHP), Tarik Skubal (LHP), Will Vest (RHP).

Tigers 2024 MLB Playoff Schedule

Best-of-three series in the MLB American League Wild Card Round.; *if required.

  • Game 1, Tuesday, October 1: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros, 2:32 p.m., ABC
  • Game 2, Wednesday, October 2: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros, 2:32 p.m., ABC
  • ∗Game 3, Thursday, October 3: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros, 2:32 p.m., ABC

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