Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 2nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
HOUSTON Astros manager Joe Espada was content with the contributions of Yordan Alvarez in Houston's 3-1 defeat in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
The Astros require all the assistance they can receive as they strive to even the best-of-three series on Wednesday afternoon.
Alvarez went 2-for-4 in his first appearance since injuring his right knee on Sept. 22. He was replaced by pinch runner Zach Dezenzo, who scored the Astros' sole run in the ninth inning.
See also:
"Atlanta's Right-Handed Pitcher Spencer Strider Placed on 15-Day Injured List for Hamstring Injury"
See also:
"Announcement: A's to Promote Promising Hitter Nick Kurtz"
"He collected two hits, a double and a single," Espada remarked on Alvarez's performance. "He moved around quite well. His swings were powerful. He was able to rotate. He looked good running out of the box. He reached second base on the double, so it was really encouraging to see."
With Alvarez appearing to be in good health, the Astros will pin their hopes on right-hander Hunter Brown (11-9, 3.49 ERA), who will start in a potential elimination game for Houston on Wednesday.
Espada stated that Brown was an obvious choice to start Game 2. Brown experienced a remarkable turnaround during the season after his only relief appearance of the year in Detroit on May 11, going 6-1 with a 1.83 ERA in his next nine starts. Following a rough outing against the Minnesota Twins on July 6, Brown went 5-3 with a 2.32 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings over his final 13 starts.
"That was probably a turning point for me at the time," Brown said of his relief appearance against the Tigers, where he pitched five innings and allowed only one run. "I was struggling a bit, and it was something that Joe and (Astros pitching coach) Josh (Miller) had talked to me about, coming out of the bullpen to possibly jump-start the season and get me back on track.
"So, yeah, it just happened to be the timing of it."
Brown has a 3-0 record with a 2.93 ERA in five career games (four starts) against Detroit. This will be his first time starting a postseason game after recording no decisions and a 1.69 ERA in seven relief appearances over the past two Octobers.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch will use an opener in Game 2, giving left-hander Tyler Holton (7-2, 2.19 ERA) the starting assignment. Holton is coming off a strong September where he went 2-1 with two saves and a 1.06 ERA. He has made three appearances against Houston in his career, all in relief, and has a 0-0 record with a 6.35 ERA.
See also:
Cubs secure LHP Drew Pomeranz in trade with Mariners
See also:
Lane Thomas (wrist) Placed on 10-Day Injured List by Guardians
Hinch promised that chaos would be the theme for his pitching staff after ace Tarik Skubal. Skubal delivered as expected, throwing six scoreless innings in Game 1, putting the Tigers in a good position to utilize their pitching depth on Wednesday. Four relievers combined to cover the final three innings in the series opener. Detroit appears to have multiple options to piece together Game 2.
"I love it," Skubal said of the approach. "Those guys have been doing it for the last month and a half. Just mixing and matching, coming in any situation, any scenario. It doesn't matter. Straight from (Triple-A) Toledo right into high-leverage innings. It doesn't matter who's taking the ball. They come in and throw strikes, and I think it makes A.J.'s job enjoyable when we have guys in the bullpen capable of doing that.
"I think it makes it really difficult for the other team as well. There's no rhythm, no flow, you mix up the timing. Give guys different looks, and it's definitely to our advantage."
MK Bower,
Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros Recap OCT 2TH 2024
Javier Baez blasted a grand slam and the visiting Detroit Tigers salvaged the finale of a three-game series with a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon.
Colt Keith smacked a two-run homer and Riley Greene had four hits and scored two runs for Detroit.
Brenan Hanifee (2-0) got the win with two innings of scoreless relief. Tommy Kahnle got the last four outs for his fifth save.
Detroit starter Jackson Jobe gave up three runs and four hits with four walks and four strikeouts in four-plus innings.
Jeremy Pena and Victor Caratini homered for the Astros, who had won three in a row. Pena had three hits and scored two runs.
Houston starter AJ Bluebaugh made his major league debut. He gave up seven runs (two earned) on five hits in four innings. He walked one and struck out six.
The Astros struck first when Pena led off the bottom of the first with his homer to left-center.
Their lead didn't last long. Greene hit a leadoff single to right in the second before Keith clubbed an estimated 406-foot shot over the right field wall.
Detroit extended its lead to 7-1 with five runs in the third. Tomas Nido led off with a single and Kerry Carpenter reached on a throwing error by Pena. Nido scored on Zach McKinstry's sacrifice fly. One out later, Greene singled and Keith walked to load the bases. Baez emptied the bases by lifting a sweeper over the left field wall.
The Astros rallied in the fifth. Jake Meyers led off with a walk and Pena singled. Jose Altuve then lined a double to left, knocking in both runners. Pena singled after Brenan Hanifee replaced Jobe. Caratini walked to load the bases.
Hanifee escaped the jam by striking out Cam Smith and retiring Brendan Rodgers on a grounder.
Caratini made it 7-4 with a solo shot off Tyler Holton with two outs in the seventh. The next two batters singled but Holton responded by striking out Yainer Diaz.
The Tigers left two runners in scoring position in the eighth. The Astros did the same in the bottom of the inning.