Tigers vs. Astros playoffs: Time, TV, channel, livestream for Game 1 of wild-card series
Detroit Tigers (86-76) vs. Houston Astros (88-73)
What: Game 1 of MLB playoffs American League wild-card series.
When: 2:32 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Minute Maid Park in Houston.
TV: ABC.
Livestream: On Fubo (free trial).
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) in Detroit (Tigers radio affiliates); nationally on ESPN Radio.
Probable pitchers: Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. Astros LHP Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA).
First-pitch weather: 90 degrees (climate controlled with retractable roof).
Watch Tigers-Astros on Fubo (free trial)
Tigers lineup: To be announced.
Astros lineup: To be announced.
Must listen podcast: Tigers-Astros series preview, with Tigers beat writer Evan Petzold (Detroit Free Press), Mark Gorosh and Astros beat writer Chandler Rome (The Athletic). Make"Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify).
Game notes: Welcome to Game 1 of the MLB playoffs and the American League wild-card series. This is a best-of-three format, with all games in Houston, the No. 3 seed. The No. 6 seed Tigers make their first playoff appearance since 2014, and are underdogs as they battle the playoff-tested Houston Astros. Only one Tiger expected to make the postseason roster, outfielder/third baseman Matt Vierling, has played in the playoffs, though Tigers manager A.J. Hinch used to manage Houston but was fired in 2020 after a sign-stealing scandal. Meanwhile, the Astros have been to the ALCS seven straight seasons, playing in four World Series in that span, winning in 2017 (under Hinch) and 2022, and losing in 2019 and 2021. The Tigers last won a World Series in 1984, and last played for a World Series in 2012 (swept by San Francisco). They also lost in 2006 (4-1 to St. Louis).
THE SERIES: Tigers vs. Astros scouting report, prediction
Tarik Skubal makes his playoff debut in Game 1 for the Tigers with the Astros starting Framber Valdez in a battle of lefty aces. Skubal won the AL pitching Triple Crown, leading in wins, strikeouts and ERA. He's the first pitcher since 2011 to do so in a full season. Skubal is the likely AL Cy Young winner. Valdez has pitched in 16 playoff games (15 starts) with a 4.24 ERA across 80⅔ innings.
Game 2 is Wednesday at 2:32 p.m. and if necessary, Game 3 is Thursday at 2:32 p.m. The winner visits the No. 2 seed Cleveland Guardians in the best-of-five ALDS, with Game 1 on Saturday in Cleveland.
REQUIRED READING: It's Tarik Skubal in Game 1. Then, A.J. Hinch plans to unleash 'pitching chaos' on Astros
Live updates
For updates from and around the diamond, check it out on X.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Astros vs Tigers: Time, channel, streaming for Game 1 in playoffs
