Houston Astros to face Detroit Tigers in 2024 MLB Wild Card series beginning Tuesday – Houston Public Media

Rob Salinas

The Houston Astros will begin their journey in the 2024 playoffs with an American League Wild Card matchup against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.

It is an intriguing matchup for several reasons. Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke joined Houston Matters on Monday to discuss.

The Astros hold the best record in MLB since May 8 and the Tigers hold the best record since August 13. Both started out roughly but then surged and sustained success. Balke said the Tigers have been more impressive to watch.

“The Astros started bad, but nobody expected the Astros really to be bad,” Balke said. “The Tigers weren’t really expected to be a good team this year, but what they’ve done to turn around their season? I mean, it’s credit to former Astros manager A.J. Hinch … And they’ve just been really, really good.”

Balke added that the Tigers have replaced players who were injured with better players.

“It’s an intriguing team. I still think the Astros have the edge in this match-up, but what the Tigers have done over the second half of the season is really impressive,” Balke said.

One interesting storyline in the series is the Tigers are managed by Finch, who was fired in 2020 in connection with the Astros electronic sign stealing scandal. He was also suspended for a year by Major League Baseball and now he faces his former bench coach, Joe Espada.

The Astros are set to play against the Tigers in Game 1 at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.