Wild Card Recap: Game 1

(6) Detroit Tigers @ (3) Houston Astros — Tigers won, 3-1

Detroit opened the 2024 postseason with a huge win over the American League powerhouse Houston Astros. It was a must-win for the young Tigers. With soon-to-be Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal on the mound, the 6-seed couldn’t afford to lose. Skubal took care of business — blanking the ‘Stros over 6.0 IP with six strikeouts and only four hits allowed. Detroit did all of its damage in the second inning, stringing together three RBI singles in a row against Houston ace Framber Valdez. Houston scored its lone run in the 9th and loaded the bases, but the game came to an end when Jason Heyward lined out to first.

(6) New York Mets @ (3) Milwaukee Brewers — Mets won, 8-4

In the highest-scoring game of the day, the New York Mets upset the host Milwaukee Brewers. With Luis Severino struggling to start the game, Milwaukee plated two runs in the 1st to take an early 2-0 lead. However, Jesse Winker tied the game with a two-run triple in the 2nd and came in to score on a sac fly to give New York a 3-2 lead. After Milwaukee grabbed a 4-3 lead in the 4th, New York responded with five runs in the 5th to take control of the game. The Brewers didn’t record a hit the rest of the way and New York cruised to victory.

(5) Kansas City Royals @ (4) Baltimore Orioles — Royals won, 1-0

Two of the top pitchers in the American League took the mound in this game and they both delivered. Before leaving the game with calf cramps, Kansas City’s Cole Ragans dominated Baltimore’s lineup for six innings. Ragans allowed four hits and struck out eight batters before turning the game over to the bullpen. For Baltimore, ace Corbin Burnes allowed one run on five hits through 8.0 IP. In the 6th, KC’s No.9 hitter — Maikel Garcia — walked and stole second base, setting up Bobby Witt Jr. to drive in the game’s only run with a two-out single.

(5) Atlanta Braves @ (4) San Diego Padres — Padres won, 4-0

Following Monday’s double-header against the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves never found their rhythm against the 4-seed San Diego Padres. After leaving runners at the corner in the top of the 1st, the Braves found themselves in a hole minutes later. AJ Smith-Shawver surrendered a two-strike single to Luis Arraez to start his day and Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a towering home run on the next pitch. Michael King was dominant for the Pads — striking out 12 batters and allowing five hits over 7.0 IP. A two-run homer from Kyle Higashioka gave San Diego breathing room in the 8th.