Hinch returns to the playoffs Tuesday with the Detroit Tigers in their first postseason appearance in a decade when they face the AL West champion Astros in Game 1 of a best-of-three Wild Card Series. Detroit ace Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) opposes fellow left-hander Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91) in the opener.

A.J. Hinch led Houston to the 2017 World Series title but was later suspended for a year by MLB and fired for his role in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal. He returns to the playoffs with a Detroit

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch's career is coming full-circle.  Hinch spent the majority of his career as a manager of the Houston Astros from 2015 through 2019, leading the Astros to their first postseason berth in 10 years and setting the tone for a blooming dynasty.