DONE DEAL: Astros announce former manager’s return with an extended commitment, sending message to opponents in the upcoming AL Wild Card Series

A.J. Hinch, who led the Houston Astros to the championship in 2017, last managed a postseason game in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. However, in January 2020, Major League Baseball suspended him for a year and dismissed him on the same day for his role in Houston’s sign-stealing controversy.

Hinch is now back in the playoffs with the Detroit Tigers, leading the team to its first postseason berth in a decade. On Tuesday, the Tigers will play the AL West champion Astros in Game 1 of a best-of-three Wild Card Series. Detroit’s ace, Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA), will face Houston’s left-hander, Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA), in the opener.

Since taking over as Tigers manager in 2021, Hinch has made it clear that this series is not about his personal redemption. “I’m not proud of how things turned out, and I’ve accepted responsibility,” Hinch said on Monday before the team’s workout at Minute Maid Park. “I regret what happened, but my focus now is on making things right and helping the Tigers succeed.”

He also applauded his team’s efforts, stating how hard they had fought to get to this position. The Tigers were 10 games off of a wild card slot on August 10, but an outstanding 31-13 finish guaranteed their first postseason appearance since 2014.

Detroit outfielder Riley Greene believes their trip since August has prepared them for the postseason. “It feels like we’ve been in playoff mode for a while,” he told reporters. “We’re young and hungry, and we’re doing everything we can to win.”

Meanwhile, the Astros, who have made the playoffs for the previous eight years, had a difficult season, overcoming a 7-19 start to win their fourth straight AL West crown.