The Detroit Tigers got the most clutch performance from a pitcher who was not acquired at the trade deadline. It was Keider Montero, who had some big starts in September 2024.
Keider Montero struck out six over four innings and Jahmai Jones delivered a two-run single as the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Sunday at Fenway Park, securing their first postseason berth since 2014.
Montero, 24, leaned on his fastball-slider mix to keep Boston in check. He struck out David Hamilton to open the game, then fanned Rob Refsnyder and Masataka Yoshida to end the first inning. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits before exiting in the fifth.
Boston’s lone run came in the second when Nick Sogard singled home Ceddanne Rafaela. Detroit answered in the fifth after Dillon Dingler singled and Javier Báez reached. With two outs and the bases loaded, Jones grounded a single to left, scoring Dingler and Báez for a 2-1 lead.
The Tigers’ bullpen held firm. Brant Hurter, Rafael Montero, Tyler Holton and Will Vest combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three baserunners. Vest closed it out with a perfect ninth for the save.
The win pushed Detroit into the American League playoff field and, for the first time since 2014, Detroit is making back-to-back postseason appearances.
Jones’ September surge adds weight to his heroics
Jones has been a key offensive spark down the stretch. In September, he went 12-for-29 (.414) with 6 RBIs, posting a .541 on-base percentage and a robust .828 slugging mark. That stretch helped him finish the regular season batting .287 with 7 home runs and 23 RBIs, compiling a .937 OPS overall. His bat has been especially potent against left-handed pitchers, where all 7 home runs have come this season, and his OPS in those matchups sits above .950
Skubal gets to rest
The clinching victory also provides flexibility at the top of Detroit’s rotation. Tarik Skubal, who has carried the staff as one of baseball’s most dominant starters, will not be needed Monday. Instead of pressing him into a must-win scenario, the Tigers can line him up to start Game 1 of the postseason, keeping their ace fresh for October.
Playoff Picture & Standings Snapshot
- Detroit improved to 87–74 to wrap up its postseason berth. MLB.com+2CBSSports.com+2
- In the AL Central, the Tigers lead Cleveland by a half-game, though Cleveland holds the head-to-head tiebreaker. FOX Sports+2CBSSports.com+2
- In the wild-card standings, Detroit sits at 86–74 with Houston trailing at 85–75, giving Detroit a one-game cushion over the Astros. FOX Sports+1
- Detroit now holds the No. 3 seed in the AL, setting up a matchup against the lowest-seeded Wild Card team in the Division Series. If Detroit were to overtake Cleveland for the division, it would earn a first-round bye.