DETROIT (WXYZ) – For the first time in a decade, playoff baseball is returning to downtown Detroit.

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Houston Astros 5-2 on Wednesday to advance to the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. The best-of-five series will include at least one home game at Comerica Park, with a second potential game if necessary.

VIDEO: Tigers advance in playoffs, eliminate Astros

Tigers advance in the playoffs and eliminate the Astros

The middle of a workday didn’t stop Tigers fans from heading to the ballpark to watch the team punch their ticket to the divisional round during the official Tigers viewing party.

“It’s too small on the small screen. You have to be in the park to enjoy it,’ Donetta Smolinski of Shelby Township said.

Check out our coverage of the viewing party at Comerica Park in the video below:

Hundreds cheer on tigers during the viewing party at Comerica Park

Smolinski and Edward Caudle came to nearly 20 games this year, including Opening Day. They are surprised to be back in the park watching baseball in October. They had already bought tickets for the home game against the Guardians.

“We were here on opening day with the snow, and here we are,” Smolinski said.

While they aren’t yet ready for an away game on a weekday, the win marks a new streak for the Tigers, including potentially two home games at Comerica Park, which would bring thousands of people downtown. There is already a lot of excitement.

“The excitement in the city is so great right now.” said Frances Billingsley of Detroit, who attended the watch event. “Hopefully they go to the World Series. That would be great.”

“I think it pays off big time,” downtown resident William Zimmer said of the playoff round. “It delivers a lot for the economy and the energy of the city and for the young people who want to live here.”

The win is also a win for downtown sports bars like Harry’s. Even on Wednesday, they had post-game overflow from fans at the Comerica viewing party, and now they get to add another playoff series with home games in the mix.

“We had the Lions going strong, we have the Tigers in the playoffs and the Wings starting next week.” said general manager Hugh Leonard. “This is the start of our busy season, so adding this makes it even more exciting for us.”

For Smolinski and Caudle, they think back to opening day when they went with their friend Eric. He was a season ticket holder for the Tigers and even went to the 1968 World Series. Sadly, he passed away suddenly about a month ago, just as this magical run was beginning. They hope for him, the Tigers are going all out.

“He was blind and he loved the Tigers,” Caudle said of his friend. “He helps us from above.”