When he sits at the podium in front of a growing crowd of national reporters, A.J. finds himself fighting the perception that the Tigers are merely hot.
"This is not just a good stretch," Hinch said Friday on 97.1 The Ticket. "We have shown over a couple months that we're pretty tested, pretty resilient and we have a lot of guys that contribute. We are the true definition of a team, and we do find a way. ... The fact that we've played so many close games makes us comfortable in these stress events."
After sweeping the Astros in the wild card round, the Tigers are 33-13 since Aug. 10, the best record in the majors. They head to Cleveland for the ALDS full of confidence, undaunted by the fact that only one player on their roster in Houston -- Matt Vierling -- had any prior playoff experience.
"One thing that my staff and I have tried to instill in these guys is that we've been been playing playoff baseball for two months," said Hinch. "Our backs were against the wall from the beginning of August. I don't want to say desperate because that sounds like too dramatic of a word, but we've been playing all hands on deck for the better part of two months, so we don't have to play any differently now. Our players are bought in, they're all-in."
Hinch said that Tarik Skubal will start Game 2 in Cleveland on Monday, which would also set him up to start Game 5 if necessary. The Tigers are "still sorting through" their plans for Game 1 on Saturday, as well as whether to roster 13 pitchers or 12. The three scheduled off days in the series might make it easier to roll with 12. Saturday's starter, said Hinch, will likely be either Reese Olson or Tyler Holton.
"It kind of feels weird, if we go with Olson, we'll have back-to-back regular starters. I don't know if we can handle that," he said with a laugh. "I think it's allowed, and we might do it. But also, I love opening the game with Tyler Holton, so we're considering different options."
All of this is leading toward the Tigers' first home playoff game in 10 years, with Game 3 scheduled for next Wednesday in Detroit. Tickets for both Games 3 and 4 sold out in less than an hour after the Tigers advanced.
"It's going to be incredible," said Hinch. "I know tickets are hard to come by, I know the fans are ready to go. And we've seen it. The clinching night was one of the most special nights for our team -- packed house, Friday night -- and I know it's going to be even better for a home playoff game. This fanbase has waited a long time for a team to be proud of, and we've earned our way back to having October baseball at Comerica. It's going to be rocking.
"We need to get a win or two here in Cleveland and come back with an even bigger home-field advantage with our people coming out."
The city has rallied around the Tigers much like it did for the Lions during their run to the NFC title game last year. Even Dan Campbell and Jared Goff have thrown props to the team across the street from Ford Field, which hasn't been lost on Hinch.
"We fed off the Lions last year," he said. "They captured this city's attention and it was an incredible environment. Our players are all over what the Lions are doing, obviously we're connected to the Wings as well (through co-owner Chris Ilitch). We love winners. They were playing our game at the Red Wings game, the Lions guys -- Dan and Jared -- are giving us a ton of love. I love the Tigers hat on Jared after a national TV game."
Hinch has gotten to know Goff during their time in Detroit, and he made sure to text him after Goff closed his press conference after the Lions' win over the Seahawks on Monday Night Football by shouting out the Tigers.
"Detroit sports, right now, I think is starting to be a very, very fun place to be," said Hinch. "A fun group of teams to root for, and we want to keep up our part."
