What is the absolute best kind of hit? A grand slam, you might say. I suppose, yes, objective, that’s right. But after Andy Ibáñez hit a bases-loaded double into the left corner in the eighth inning of a Tigers-Astros tie on Wednesday, Tigers fans might disagree. With the two-bagger clearing the bases, they received blow after blow of great news: the thrilling declaration that the ball was good, and then the dramatic build-up of an incrementally larger lead. “One point scores! … Two points score! … Evvvvv everyone scores!” It was as good as it gets, and so was the rest of the afternoon for the Detroiters, as Houston, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, eliminated itself from the postseason just 24 hours after it started.

While the Tigers finished the year 24-10 to reach the playoffs, this once mediocre team has racked up dozens of perfect-in-the-moment hits. While I would give more credit to their stout bullpen than their ultimately average lineup for the team’s ability to pull off close wins, the Tigers are defined by the dramatic RBI. I’m thinking of the 10th inning broken-bat-bloop/see-eye-single combo that helped the team beat the Royals in KC two weeks ago. Or Riley Greene who immediately took the lead in the 10th against the Orioles after Beau Brieske pulled Houdinied out of a loss in the bottom of the ninth. Or best of all, a comeback against the Rays last Thursday that was as simple as single, walk, single, sacrifice fly, but still cemented the idea in my head that maybe there could be something to this team.

Since the summer started to fade, the Tigers have become a team that somehow produces the results they need. Ibáñez’s pinch-hit double was just the last. The hit that will give Motown its first home game since 2014 will live on as a testament to this team’s newfound optimism, and yes, its grit.

“He’s literally pacing in the dugout,” manager AJ Hinch said of Ibáñez afterwards. “And as soon as the lefty even picked up a ball, Andy has his helmet on and he’s done.”

The Tigers now face AL Central winner Cleveland, a team they went 6-7 this year but haven’t faced since July, when they were still The Old Tigers. As much as you can predict each five-game series, it should score low, with each team’s ability to limit runs far exceeding its own ability to produce baserunners. That would mean clutch hits carry the day. With the best bullpen in the majors, you’d like to see the Guardians’ chances in this scenario. But Detroit doesn’t want to hear the odds.