Tigers, MLB's youngest team, handle playoff pressure from Astros in Game 1

HOUSTON – The Detroit Tigers have shown that the Houston Astros' playoff experience is overrated. At least in Game 1.

The Tigers, the youngest team in baseball, survived the opening game of the 2024 MLB playoffs on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory in a best-of-three American League wild-card series at Minute Maid Park.

Beau Brieske got two outs in a heartbreaking ninth inning after closer Jason Foley allowed three hits and one run. Brieske got Jason Heyward to line up to Spencer Torkelson at first base until the end of the game, stranding the bases.

With a replay on Wednesday in Game 2 (2:32 p.m., ABC), the Tigers can dispatch the Astros and advance to the ALDS. The starting players have yet to be announced. Game 3 may take place on Thursday at the same time and location. The Cleveland Guardians await the series winner in Game 1 on Saturday.

Matt Vierling, the team's oldest player at 28, entered the series as the only Tiger on the wild-card squad with postseason experience against an Astros team that has played in seven straight ALCS games.

But Vierling's RBI single up the middle capped a two-out, three-run rally in the second inning against Astros starter Framber Valdez.

YOU CAN DO THIS: 3 reasons the Tigers can win the World Series – and 3 reasons they can't

That was enough to support left-hander and AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal, who threw six shutout innings in his playoff debut after becoming the first pitcher in 13 years to win a pitching Triple Crown in a full season won in the league.

This breaking news story will be updated shortly.

Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff.

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