“These are high-character guys willing to do anything" - AJ Hinch hails team’s mentality after leveling ALDS series vs Guardians in Game 2
The Detroit Tigers have been the Cinderella story of the MLB season this year. At the beginning of September, FanGraphs gave Detroit only a 7% chance of reaching the playoffs. Not only did they defy those odds, but they completed an upset victory over the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card round and have evened their ALDS series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Thanks to Tarik Skubal and Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers grinded out an impressive 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. The club will head to Comerica Park with a chance to take a series lead.
Following the Game 2 victory, Detroit manager AJ Hinch said his squad's ability to step up in any situation gives them an advantage.
"What I've learned about October baseball is how powerful your mindset is," Hinch said on MLB Network Radio.
Hinch explained how the flexibility of some of his pitchers, specifically Beau Brieske and Tyler Holton, has allowed him to mix and match starters and bullpen arms. It's this versatility that Hinch believes makes his team something special.
"The playoffs will bring out the purest version of you that you're willing to do anything... I don't think it's because they're young, I think these are high character guys who are willing to do anything to win," Hinch said about his roster.
The Detroit Tigers will play a postseason game at home for the first time since 2014.
Tarik Skubal has put the Detroit Tigers on his back at times this season
While the Detroit Tiger's "never say die" attitude has helped them reach this stage of the season, there's no denying the impact ace pitcher Tarik Skubal has had on the roster. The AL Cy Young Award favorite has been impressive on the mound this season and is having his way in the playoffs as well.
Skubal was dominant yet again for the Detroit Tigers during their Game 2 victory, limiting the Cleveland Guardians to only three hits over 7.0 scoreless innings.
Along the way, Skubal racked up eight strikeouts, pushing his postseason total to 14 in two starts this year.