The American League Championship Series has been an invitational for the Houston Astros since 2016, but this year it will look a little different.

A red-hot Detroit Tigers team upset Houston on Wednesday in the American League Wild Card Series with a 5-2 victory, defeating the Astros in the best-of-three set.

Houston took a 2–1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after trailing 1–0 to start the frame. However, a Kyle Tucker double play killed the rally, and the gritty Tigers were at it again against what is arguably the best back end of a bullpen in the sport.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of Game 2 of the wild-card round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)

With one out, Detroit hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners, and a wild pitch by Ryan Pressly tied the game. Pressly allowed a two-out walk, prompting Astros manager Joe Espada to bring in Josh Hader. However, after the dominant closer walked his first batter, Andy Ibanez ripped one down the left field line, clearing the bases and putting Detroit up 5-2.

Detroit went with an all-bullpen game and seven different pitchers hit the rubber for the win.

Houston went with Hunter Brown, who threw 5⅔ innings of one-run ball. Normally, good things happen when you give the ball to Pressly and Hader. But Wednesday was a rare exception.

The Tigers, sellers at the trade deadline, finished the season 31-13 in their final 44 games to earn the sixth and final spot in the American League postseason standings. At one point in August, they were 11 games out of a postseason spot.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) slides to score a run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of Game 2 of the wild-card round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)

PADRES’ FERNANDO TATIS JR. CAUSES MADNESS WITH HOMERUN, TEAM TO GAME 1 WIN

But for some reason they keep winning. It also doesn’t hurt to have the likely Cy Young Award winner in Tarik Skubal. He shut down Houston’s lineup with six scoreless innings in Game 1 Tuesday, and Detroit earned its first postseason victory since 2014.

That year is the last time Houston managed to reach the ALDS until Wednesday. Houston’s championship series streak was the second-longest in MLB history, trailing only the Atlanta Braves’ eight straight wins in the 1990s.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch also eliminated his former team. Hinch managed the Astros from 2015 to 2019 before being fired after their infamous sign stealing scandal came to light.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Vest (19) and catcher Jake Rogers (34) celebrate after beating the Houston Astros in Game 2 of a wild-card series in the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

It remains to be seen if Alex Bregman has played his last game with the Astros. He will become a free agent after this season.

Detroit will have a date with the AL Central rival Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS. Detroit lost that season’s series 7-6.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.