Watch: Tigers score first run of 2024 postseason from unlikely source

Thanks to an unlikely source, the Tigers seized an early lead in Game 1 of their road wild-card series against the Astros.

Catcher Jake Rogers, who hit .197 during the regular season, drove in the game's first run on a two-out single against Houston starting pitcher Framber Valdez.

Rogers drove Valdez's sinker to centerfield, driving in right fielder Wenceel Perez. Per Baseball Savant data , Rogers posted his lowest batting average (.127) on sliders during the regular season.

Houston's ace entered the postseason with a 2.91 earned run average (ERA) in 28 regular season starts, posting a 15-7 win-loss record.

Detroit (86-76) added two more runs in the inning to give itself a 3-0 lead after two-and-a-half innings.

That might be enough with starting pitcher Tarik Skubal on the mound.

Skubal is the likely AL Cy Young winner after completing the pitching triple crown . He finished the regular season with league-highs in wins (18), ERA (2.39) and strikeouts (228) in helping lead the Tigers to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Over his last nine starts, Skubal is 6-0 with a 1.94 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 55.2 innings.

Detroit leads Game 1 of the three-game wild-card series 3-0 through four innings.