Takeaways from Tigers-Astros Game 1: Detroit holds on, pushes Houston to brink 

If that ball is hit a couple of feet to the right it might get into the corner and tie the game, if not win it. A few feet to the left and it is a game-tying single.

Instead? It was simply the game-ending 27th out for the Tigers.

2. Tarik Skubal gives the Tigers a chance in any short series

Pitching is the ultimate X-factor in the playoffs, especially if a team has one of the game's best.

The Tigers do.

After winning the American League pitching triple crown by leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts, Skubal was sensational in his playoff debut on Tuesday by going six shutout innings. 

He limited the Astros to just five base runners and was rarely in any sort of trouble. He threw just 88 pitches in the win before turning the game over to the bullpen, which easily shut it down over the final three innings.

If the Tigers can get one more win in this series, they will have the opportunity to potentially throw Skubal two times in the next round. There is not a team in the American League that would be looking forward to that. 

3. Framber Valdez had another tough playoff outing

Valdez is one of the best pitchers in baseball and a core part of the Astros. But his past few postseason starts have not been up to his normal level.

In three postseason starts in 2023, he allowed 12 earned runs in 12 innings. On Tuesday, he opened up this postseason by allowing three earned runs and nine base runners over 4.1 innings. 

It is tough to win with that sort of performance from a top starter in the playoffs. 

The Tigers' ace was everything they needed him to be on Tuesday.

The Astros' ace was not.

That was the difference. 

If there is some good news for the Astros, it is that they do not have to face Skubal again in this series and should have a pitching advantage over the next two games. But there's no more room for error. Now the pressure is on.