Houston Astros were eliminated from the 2024 MLB Playoffs after a loss to Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Astros' hopes of strong success in the 2024 postseason are now over. On Wednesday afternoon, Houston suffered a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

After five scoreless innings, Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows hit the game's first home run to end the scoring drought and put Detroit ahead of Houston 1-0 early in the sixth inning. In the seventh inning, Houston took a 2-1 lead on an opportunity with the bases loaded after Jeremy Peña slid across home plate to score a run against Detroit.

In the top of the eighth inning, Detroit tied the game 2-2 after Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter scored a run. The Tigers rallied with a three-run score to lead Houston 5-2.

Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown left the game early in the sixth inning after recording nine strikeouts. Additionally, Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series marked the 26-year-old Detroiter's first postseason start.

Bregman's future with or without the Astros?

For the Astros, the “elephant in the room” is now whether third baseman Alex Bregman stays with the franchise or leaves. The 30-year-old LSU product was drafted by the Stros with the second pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. As an Astro, Bregman has earned various accolades, including two World Series Championships (2017 and 2022) and two All-Star selections. He even started his own food brand called Breggy Bomb. Bregman is expected to hit free agency at the start of the offseason. If Bregman decides to leave Houston, only Jose Altuve and Lance McCullers Jr. will be left since the 2017 World Series.

JV's farewell to baseball?

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander was left off Houston's playoff roster for the first-round playoff series against Detroit. Coincidentally, Verlander was drafted by the Tigers in the 2004 MLB Draft. As an Astro, he won two World Series championships (2017 and 2022). He is a future Hall of Famer and is currently the oldest active player in the league at 41 years old. Verlander will test free agency once the offseason begins.

Although Houston's postseason run was cut short, the Astros finished their regular season with their fourth straight American League West title. Houston finished the regular season 88-73 under first-year Astros manager Joe Espada. Astros players Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker were selected for the 2024 MLV All-Star Game, held in Arlington, Texas.

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