The Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros will face off in a best-of-three American League Wild Card Series beginning Friday, October 7th. The Astros enter the series as a heavy favorite, but the Tigers have a chance to pull off an upset if they can seize opportunities and minimize mistakes.
The Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros are set to clash in an American League Wild Card Series beginning Friday, October 7th. The Astros are heavily favored to win the series, but the Tigers have shown signs of improvement down the stretch and could spring an upset if they play to their potential.
Detroit Tigers vs Houston Astros: Wild-Card Series Preview
The Astros enter the series as the clear favorites for several reasons. They have the best record in the American League at 106-56, and they have a deep and talented roster led by stars such as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander.
Verlander is likely to start Game 1 of the series, and he will be a tough matchup for the Tigers lineup. He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, with a 17-4 record and a 1.84 ERA.
The Astros also have a strong bullpen, led by closer Ryan Pressly. Pressly has 31 saves this season and a 2.94 ERA.
The Tigers are a significant underdog in this series, but they have a chance to pull off an upset if they can play to their strengths and minimize their mistakes.
The Tigers have a solid offense, led by Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer Candelario, and Spencer Torkelson. Cabrera is a future Hall of Famer, and he is still capable of producing big hits. Candelario and Torkelson are both young and talented hitters with a lot of upside.
The Tigers also have a strong defense, led by shortstop Javier Baez. Baez is a Gold Glove winner, and he is one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball.
The Tigers' biggest challenge will be their pitching staff. They have a relatively inexperienced rotation, and their bullpen has been inconsistent at times.
The Astros are the clear favorites in this series, but the Tigers have a chance to pull off an upset if they can seize opportunities and minimize mistakes.
I predict the Astros will win the series in three games, but the Tigers could make it competitive if they play well.
