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Writer's pictureLarryTheGM

Astros - Tigers AL Wildcard Matchup Preview

For the first time since 2020 the Astros are playing in a Wild Card series. Discover the Astros and Tigers AL Wildcard Matchup in our series preview.


My Video Pregame at 1:20PM



High Level 2024 Team Status

Notice the Tigers batting vs. LHP. They are not good. Will Valdez and Kikuchi shut them down?


Both of these teams were considered out of the race for a postseason berth for much of the season. Here are a few low points in the Astros season journey.


Just when most had written this team off, the Astros dumped Abreu on 6/14, and the climb accelerated.


Even as late as 8/5, the Astros only had a 44.6% of making the postseason. For the last 49 games, the Astros went 31-18 or a 102.5-win pace to take hold of the AL West. Pretty impressive.


The Tigers fans would say "Hold our Beer." On 8/10, the Tigers had virtually no chance - 0.2%- of making the post season. They finished the season 31-13 from that date on a 114-win pace to sneak in as the last AL Wildcard.


Both teams are hot. Who will take the series?


Bating Lineups Comparison

This table compares the offenses of the two teams by each spot in their projected typical batting orders.

Pitching Staff Comparison

The pitching in this series is EXCELLENT.


You can see how the starting and relief pitchers have fared so far.

Expected Stats (xwOBA) Tables - by Pitch Type and Platoon

This data unlocks the game within the game. It comes from the data provided from Baseball Savant. This data will change how you watch baseball if you really understand it.


Today's pitching matchups

This xwOBA numbers are CRAZY LOW!






Astros Batters vs. LHP

Astros Batters vs. RHP

Astros Pitching vs. LHH

Astros Pitching vs. RHH


Opponent Batters vs. LHP

Opponent Batters vs. RHP

Opponent Pitching vs. LHH

Opponent Pitching vs. RHH

The beauty of this data is you can see the relative strengths and weaknesses of the hitter and pitcher and then understand why certain players are pitched the way they are and why substitutions are made.


Don't get lost in the numbers too much. Pay attention to the heatmap color if that helps.







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