Time, channel, streaming for Game 1 in the playoffs

What: Game 1 of the Wild Card Series of the MLB American League Playoffs.

When: Tuesday, 2:32 p.m.

Where: Minute Maid Park in Houston.

TV: ABC.

Live stream: On Fubo (free trial).

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) in Detroit (Tigers Radio affiliates); nationally on ESPN Radio.

Starting pitchers: Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. Astros LHP Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA).

Weather on the first pitch: 90 degrees (air-conditioned with retractable roof).

• Box score

Watch Tigers-Astros on Fubo (Free Trial)

Tigers lineup:

3B Matt Vierling
DH Justyn-Henry Malloy
LF Riley Greene
2B Andy Ibanez
RF Wenceel Perez
1B Spencer Torkelson
CF Parker Meadows
CJake Rogers
SS Trey Sweeney

Astros lineup:

2B Jose Altuve
DH Yordan Alvarez
RF Kyle Tucker
3B Alex Bregman
C Yainer Diaz
SS Jeremy Pena
1B Victor Caratini
LF Mauricio Dubon
CF Jake Meyers

TRENDING:3 reasons why the Detroit Tigers can win the World Series – and 3 reasons why they can’t

Be sure to listen to the 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 favorite Tigers podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify).

Game notes: Welcome to the first game of the MLB Playoffs and American League Wild Card Series. This is a best-of-three format with all games taking place in No. 3 seed Houston. The No. 6 seed Tigers are entering the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and are underdogs against the playoff-tested Astros. Only one Tigers expected to make the postseason roster, outfielder/third baseman Matt Vierling, has played in the playoffs, although Tigers manager AJ Hinch formerly managed Houston but was fired in 2020 following a sign-stealing scandal . The Astros have now been in the ALCS seven straight seasons, playing in four World Series during 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 in a World Series in 2012 (Winning against San Francisco). They also lost in 2006 (4-1 against 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 left-handed aces. Skubal won the AL Pitching Triple Crown, leading in wins, strikeouts and ERA. He is the first pitcher since 2011 to do this 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 over 80⅔ innings.

Game 2 will take place on Wednesday at 2:32 p.m. and if necessary, Game 3 will take place on Thursday at 2:32 p.m. The winner visits the No. 2 seed Cleveland Guardians in the best-of-five ALDS, with Game 1 taking place Saturday in Cleveland.

Required reading:It’s Tarik Skubal in Game 1. Then AJ Hinch plans to cause “pitching chaos” for the Astros

Live updates

For updates about the diamond, Check it out on X.

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