2025 AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES “D”

Detroit Crime: Powerhouse with Star Power

Detroit enters the series with a formidable lineup and a pitching staff that’s among the league’s best. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has been the engine of the offense, slashing .319/.371/.591 with 203 hits, 33 home runs, 118 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases. He’s joined by sluggers Kyle Schwarber (41 HR, 109 RBI) and Bryce Harper (.270 AVG, 28 HR, 81 R), while Manny Machado (25 HR, 73 RBI) adds depth.

On the mound, Detroit boasts ace Zack Wheeler, who posted a dazzling 21-4 record with a 1.76 ERA and 241 strikeouts over 215 innings, holding opponents to a .129 average. Supporting Wheeler are Sean Manaea (13-8, 3.19 ERA), Ronel Blanco (11-11, 2.79 ERA), and Paul Skenes (12-4, 152 IP, 189 K), giving Detroit a rotation built for October.

Tijuana Bottle Rockets: Speed, Grit, and Timely Hitting

Tijuana may be the underdog, but they’re riding a five-game winning streak and have proven they can beat Detroit. The offense is led by Ian Happ (.258 AVG, 21 HR, 92.6 runs created), Corbin Carroll (102 R, 33 SB, 19 HR), and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.255 AVG, 49.8 runs created). Isaac Paredes (85 RBI, 20 HR) and Cedric Mullins (69 R, 29 SB) provide additional spark, while the team’s speed—led by Carroll, Mullins, and Pete Crow-Armstrong—could be a difference-maker.

On the hill, Cristian Sanchez (13-7, 2.49 ERA, 195 IP) and Framber Valdez (11-12, 3.16 ERA, 185 IP) anchor the rotation, both holding opponents under a .200 batting average. Gabriel Rodriguez (14-3, .824 win pct.) and reliever AJ Puk (80 IP, .175 OBA) give the Bottle Rockets a fighting chance in close games.

Series Outlook

Detroit’s star power and pitching depth make them favorites, but Tijuana’s speed and knack for timely hitting—plus their regular season success against the Crime—set the stage for a potential upset. Expect a hard-fought series where every run, and every stolen base, could tip the balance.

Let the Wild Card fireworks begin!

GAME #1 – Framber Valdez 11-12 (3.16) vs. Zack Wheeler 24-4 (1.76)

The Bottle Rockets struck first, with Cedric Mullins launching a solo homer in the second inning. Tijuana added another in the third when Isaac Paredes walked and scored on an Ian Happ double. Detroit answered in the bottom half with a solo shot from Martin Maldonado, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Detroit tied it up in the fourth, capitalizing on a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and a bases-loaded walk, before Andy Ibanez grounded into a double play that brought home the tying run. Tijuana regained the lead in the fifth, as Austin Wells doubled and scored on a clutch two-out single by Paredes.

The pivotal moment came in the seventh: Corbin Carroll doubled, and Paredes followed with a two-run homer, stretching Tijuana’s lead to 5-2. Detroit rallied in the bottom of the frame, with Ibanez’s two-run double making it a one-run game, but relievers Manuel Rodriguez and Jeff Hoffman shut the door.

Detroit managed just four hits, while Tijuana’s offense was paced by Paredes (2-for-4, 3 RBI, HR) and Mullins (2-for-5, HR). Framber Valdez earned the win with six solid innings, and Hoffman notched the save. Zack Wheeler took the loss for Detroit.

Tijuana 5 – Detroit 4

Win: Framber Valdez 1-0  (3.00)
Loss: Zack Wheeler 0-1 (5.40)
Save: Jeff Hoffman #1

GAME #2 – Cristopher Sanchez 13-7 (2.49) vs. Paul Skenes 12-4 (1.78)

In a thrilling Game 2 of the Wild Card Series “D”, the Detroit Crime staged a dramatic comeback to edge the Tijuana Bottle Rockets, 4-3. Tijuana struck first with an Isaac Paredes solo homer in the opening frame and extended their lead to 3-1 in the sixth, thanks to a clutch two-run double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Detroit answered back in the bottom half, with Starling Marte’s RBI single narrowing the gap to 3-2.

The Bottle Rockets’ bullpen held the lead into the ninth, but Detroit refused to quit. Pinch-hitter Rafael Marchan electrified the home crowd with a game-tying solo homer off Jeff Hoffman. After a quick out, Bryce Harper singled, setting the stage for Bobby Witt Jr., who delivered a walk-off double to right, scoring Harper and sealing the comeback victory.

Detroit’s pitching staff, led by Paul Skenes, limited Tijuana to just four hits, while the Crime offense capitalized late. Bryan Hudson earned the win in relief, while A.J. Puk took the loss for Tijuana.

Final Score: Detroit 4 – Tijuana 3

Win: Bryan Hudson 1-0  (0.00#)
Loss: A.J. Puk 0-1  (27.00)

GAME #3 –  Sean Manaea 13-8 (3.19) vs. Grayson Rodriguez 14-3 (3.73)

In a pivotal Game 3 of the Wild Card Series “D”, the Detroit Crime blanked the Tijuana Bottle Rockets 4-0 behind a masterful complete-game shutout from Sean Manaea. The left-hander was in total control, scattering just five hits, striking out three, and walking only one, never allowing Tijuana to mount a serious threat.

Detroit broke through in the third inning. Brett Wisely doubled and, after a walk and a single from Bryce Harper, the Crime plated the game’s first run. Starling Marte followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Tijuana had a chance to answer in the bottom half, but a key out at third base on a single by Mason McCoy stifled their rally.

The score held until the eighth, when Bobby Witt Jr. walked and stole second, setting the stage for Harper’s opposite-field two-run homer off reliever Erik Miller, extending Detroit’s lead to 4-0. That was more than enough for Manaea, who retired the final six batters to seal the shutout.

Offensively, Harper led the way with three RBIs and the game’s only home run, while Marte chipped in with two hits and an RBI. Tijuana’s Grayson Rodriguez pitched well through seven innings but took the loss, undone by Detroit’s timely hitting and Manaea’s dominance.

With the win, Detroit takes a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Final Score: Detroit 4 – Tijuana 0

Win: Sean Manaea 1-0   (0.00)
Loss: Grayson Rodriguez  0-1  (2.57)

GAME #4 – Zack Wheeler 24-4 (1.76) vs. Reese Olson  11-7  (3.52))

In Game 4 of the Wild Card Series “D”, the Tijuana Bottle Rockets evened the series at 2-2 with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Crime. The game was a classic pitcher’s duel early, with both starters—Reese Olson for Tijuana and Zack Wheeler for Detroit—keeping hitters in check.

Tijuana struck first in the 2nd inning with a solo home run from Isaac Paredes. Detroit answered in the 3rd as Brett Wisely launched a solo shot of his own. The teams traded runs again in the 4th and 6th, with Starling Marte’s RBI single tying the game at 2-2.

The Bottle Rockets seized control in the bottom of the 6th with back-to-back home runs from Corbin Carroll and Ian Happ, pushing Tijuana ahead 4-2. The Tijuana bullpen—Manuel Rodriguez and Spencer Turnbull—shut the door, with Turnbull earning a six-out save.

Both teams managed just five hits, but Tijuana’s power proved decisive. Olson earned the win with six strong innings, while Wheeler took the loss.

Tijuana 4 – Detroit 2

Win: Reese Olson 1-0 (3.00)
Loss: Zack Wheeler 0-2  (5.40)
Save: Spencer Turnbull #1

GAME #5 – Ronel Blanco 11-11  (2.79) vs. Framber Valdez 11-12 (3.16)

The Detroit Crime jumped out to an early lead in Game 5 of the Championship Series, thanks to a leadoff double by Bobby Witt Jr. and a two-run homer from Bryce Harper in the first inning. Detroit added two more in the second, with Harper’s two-run double making it 4-0. Tijuana chipped away with solo homers from Ian Happ and Isaac Paredes in the 4th and 5th, and an RBI single from Paredes in the 6th, narrowing the gap to 4-3.

Detroit’s bullpen held strong, and Kyle Schwarber provided insurance with a solo shot in the 8th. Tijuana threatened in the late innings, putting runners on base in both the 8th and 9th, but clutch relief work from Bryan Hudson and Daniel Hudson shut the door. Harper starred for Detroit, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Ronel Blanco earned the win with five solid innings, while Framber Valdez took the loss for Tijuana. Daniel Hudson notched the save, stranding the tying run in the ninth.

With the win, Detroit takes a 3-2 series lead, moving one step closer to the championship.

Final Score: Detroit 5 – Tijuana 3

Win: Ronel Blanco  1-0  (3.60)
Loss: Framber Valdez  1-1  (4.50)
Save: Daniel Hudson #1

GAME #6 – Cristopher Sanchez 13-7 (2.49) vs. Paul Skenes 12-4 (1.78)

The Detroit Crime clinched the Championship Series with a convincing 5-1 victory over the Tijuana Bottle Rockets in Game 6. Detroit jumped ahead early in the second inning, as Kyle Schwarber launched a solo homer and Brett Wisely followed with an RBI double, giving the Crime a 2-0 lead. Detroit’s starter, Paul Skenes, was dominant, scattering four hits and striking out ten over 7.2 innings, keeping Tijuana’s bats quiet for most of the game.

Detroit added insurance runs in the sixth, with Schwarber doubling home Bryce Harper and Manny Machado singling in another run to make it 4-0. Tijuana’s only spark came in the seventh, when Ian Happ doubled and Pete Crow-Armstrong tripled him home, but Skenes quickly shut the door with back-to-back strikeouts. The Crime answered in the bottom half, capitalizing on a Tijuana error and a double play to push the lead to 5-1.

Jesus Tinoco closed out the final 1.1 innings, sealing the win and the series for Detroit. The Crime’s pitching and timely hitting proved too much for Tijuana, as Detroit captured the series 4-2 and celebrated a well-earned championship at home.

Final Score: Detroit 5 – Tijuana 1

Win: Paul Skenes   1-0  (2.45)
Loss: Cristopher Sanchez  0-1  (3.27

Tijuana drew first blood in Game 1, riding Isaac Paredes’ three RBIs and Cedric Mullins’ homer to a 5-4 win over Detroit ace Zack Wheeler. But the Crime responded in Game 2 with a heart-stopping comeback—pinch-hitter Rafael Marchan’s game-tying homer in the ninth set up Bobby Witt Jr.’s walk-off double, evening the series.

Detroit seized momentum in Game 3 behind Sean Manaea’s complete-game shutout and Bryce Harper’s three RBIs, blanking Tijuana 4-0. Refusing to fold, the Bottle Rockets answered in Game 4 with back-to-back homers from Corbin Carroll and Ian Happ, and a lockdown bullpen effort to even the series at two games apiece.

Game 5 saw Detroit’s offense erupt early, with Harper driving in four runs and Kyle Schwarber adding a late homer. Despite solo shots from Happ and Paredes, Tijuana couldn’t overcome the deficit, falling 5-3 as Detroit moved within one win of the series.

In the decisive Game 6, Paul Skenes dominated with 7.2 innings of one-run ball and ten strikeouts, while Schwarber and Brett Wisely powered the Crime to a 5-1 victory. Tijuana’s only spark came from Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI triple, but Detroit’s pitching depth and timely hitting proved insurmountable.

Series Highlights:
Bryce Harper starred for Detroit, including a pivotal Game 5 (3-for-4, 4 RBIs).
Sean Manaea’s Game 3 shutout was a turning point.
Tijuana’s Paredes homered three times, keeping the Bottle Rockets in the fight.
Both bullpens delivered in high-leverage spots, but Detroit’s late-game heroics made the difference.

Detroit’s blend of star power and clutch performances ultimately overcame Tijuana’s speed and grit, sending the Crime to the next round in pursuit of a championship.