DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers played three games in Cleveland with the Guardians chasing a division crown and a historic comeback.
Then they went to a sold-out Fenway Park for three more against a team fighting for a playoff spot.
Then came three playoff games back in Cleveland, including a do-or-die elimination game. Finally, they flew west to Seattle, where 47,000-plus fans created an earsplitting backdrop for the first two games of the American League Division Series.
The point? During the Tigers’ 12-game, 16-day road trip, it was a playoff atmosphere before the playoffs even started. Their long-awaited homecoming to Comerica Park, beginning with Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon, has a lot to live up to.
Now they’re home sweet home. But home wasn’t so sweet when they left. The Tigers dropped their final seven games of the regular season, including an 0-6 homestand punctuated by scattered boos. They haven’t won at Comerica Park since Sept. 6, a span of 31 days.
The Tigers went back to their hotel to sleep after Sunday’s game in Seattle and then flew to Detroit on Monday morning.
They got in on Monday afternoon and didn’t hold a mandatory workout at Comerica Park.
Manager A.J. Hinch spoke to the press directly after arriving.
“Well, we’ve been home five minutes — actually, 25 minutes, it took us that long to get from the airport,” Hinch said. “But it’s nice to be home because we had to earn it. It took a lot to get back here — a series win in Cleveland, then the first two games in Seattle. I’m proud of our guys for enduring the last couple of weeks with some good baseball to get us here.”
The Tigers’ extended journey — with its ups and downs — was more than just a grind. The high-pressure baseball was a bonding experience, said veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty, who will start Game 3.
“You spend so much time together — long flights, dinners, hotels — and it’s brought us closer,” he said. “But getting a home playoff game is special. You hear about Detroit showing up, and I’m looking forward to feeding off that energy.”
Comerica Park has a high standard to meet this week. Tarik Skubal said Seattle was one of the loudest atmospheres he’s ever pitched in.
“That’s postseason ball,” Skubal said. “It was fun, really fun. They were on their feet all game. As far as environments, that’s up there. I can’t wait to hear the one we’ll create at Comerica and use it to our advantage.”
For reliever Will Vest, who has pitched in both hostile and friendly settings, the emotional charge is part of the job.
“At home, you finish an inning with a strikeout and the crowd erupts — it’s awesome,” Vest said. “But it’s also awesome to make 47,000 people go quiet on the road. That’s rewarding too.”
Hinch said his players have grown accustomed to the energy that comes with big games — but this time, it will finally be on their side.
“I think it’s important that our guys feel that love and feel that appreciation from a city that has embraced this team certainly over the entirety of the organization, but the last couple years with this team specifically,” Hinch said. “We’ve had some incredible games at home and playoff games and a rowdy atmosphere that makes this truly a home-field advantage.
“There’s going to be people stopping us everywhere and — in your local coffee shop, your restaurants, your cities that these guys all live in are going to be sporting the English D. I’ve seen the Lions do it. I’ve seen the Pistons do it. We support one another when we’re in this city. I do think we have a city galvanized to help push us to a higher level.”
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