Detroit, Michigan – Despite not being known for their power at the plate, the Tigers have managed to consistently score runs on their path to the playoffs. In Game 1, the team jumped ahead with RBI singles from Jake Rogers, Trey Sweeney, and Matt Vierling, giving them an early 3-0 lead. This lead felt even more significant with Tarik Skubal delivering a solid performance on the mound.
The Astros tried to put pressure on Skubal in the fourth inning, making him throw 29 pitches to five batters. However, Houston failed to capitalize on the opportunity as Skubal maintained his composure, striking out Jeremy Peña and Victor Caratini with runners on base. As Skubal reached 62 pitches by the end of the fourth inning, the question arose about how long Detroit would keep him in the game, especially with a planned bullpen day scheduled for Game 2.
Skubal, a key arm for the Tigers, has only exceeded 100 pitches four times this season, with his highest pitch count being 103 in his last regular-season start. It will be interesting to see if the team pushes him to a similar pitch count in this outing, considering the importance of getting a win in Game 1 of the series.
The Tigers will have to carefully manage Skubal’s pitch count to ensure he can remain effective in potential future matchups. With the bullpen being a crucial factor in postseason success, Detroit will need to make strategic decisions to keep their pitching staff fresh and ready for the challenges ahead.
As the game progresses, all eyes will be on how Skubal performs and if Detroit can maintain their lead. The Tigers’ ability to score runs early has been a key factor in their success, and they will be looking to continue that trend to secure a victory in Game 1. With the playoffs in full swing, every pitch and every run will be crucial in determining who advances to the next round.