For many reasons, October 1st, 2024, could be a massive day in history. Most consequently, the Astros lost their first postseason opener since 2001 (Sarcasm).
This was a frustrating game for many reasons, and I will try to spare you all the blow by blow but needless to say, the Astros did not put any real pressure on the Tigers until the 9th inning.
Framber Valdez pitched ok, but Skubal pitched like the best pitcher in baseball. From the first inning to the sixth inning, Skubal was in control and kept the Astros off-balance. The only halfway decent scoring threat the Astros put on him was in the bottom of the fourth when the Astros had runners on first and second and one out. However, he quickly got out of the jam with two straight strikeouts.
Valdez’s command was a bit off all day, but he did keep the Astros in the game. The only runs the Tigers scored were in the top of the 2nd, courtesy of a couple of well-hit singles. Valdez did manage to recover and put a few zero’s up on the board, however, it turns out that this is all the runs the Tigers needed.
Valdez was taken out of the game in the fifth, and the Astros managed to shut out the Tigers for the rest of the game, even while mostly using their secondary bullpen arms. The Astros offense was frustratingly dormant until the ninth inning.
Yordan Alvarez started off the bottom of the ninth with a rocket double. Bregman followed that with an infield single to short. Diaz, after barely staying alive on a foul tip, hit a soft groundball to right field. With runners on first and second and no out, Espada decided to have Pena put down a bunt. It was about as good of a bunt as you could expect, but Rodgers, the Tigers’ catcher, made an excellent play to retire JP at first.
I see why Espada made that decision, but I would have let Pena swing away. He has only grounded into 31 double plays in his MLB career, and he has the power to hit a walk-off homer in that position. However, you can’t knock Espada for trying to get the tying run in scoring position.
Former Houston manager AJ Hinch brought in Beau Brieske to face Caratini. With two strikes, Caratini launch a line drive into left field that stayed up for just long enough to be caught. Chas came into the game and drew a walk to load the bases.
Heyward pinch hit for Meyers and, for a second, it looked like he would tie the game up. With a 2-2 count, Heyward hit a line drive that went right to the first baseman’s glove. UGHHHHH.
Final Score Tigers 3, Stros 1.
Thoughts:
I said I wouldn’t be surprised if Houston lost in the wild card round for a while. Too much luck is involved, and even the best teams can lose to bad teams in a three-game series. Still, losing games like this is not fun.
Skubal was great today. It is not surprising that he shoved.
Winning two games in a row is not that hard, on to tomorrow!