The Detroit Tigers’ season came to a gutting end in Game 5 of the ALDS, falling 3-2 in 15 innings to the Seattle Mariners. What started as a pitcher’s duel evolved into one of the most dramatic winner-take-all postseason games ever played. Tarik Skubal delivered a dominant performance, but Detroit couldn’t close it out.
From the first pitch to the final strikeout, the Tigers pushed, scratched, and clawed, but in the end, Seattle’s bullpen and one timely hit sealed Detroit’s fate. Jorge Polanco delivered the walk-off single with the bases loaded, scoring J.P. Crawford and sending the Mariners to the ALCS.
Skubal Stars, Carpenter Electrifies, but Detroit Fades
Skubal was nothing short of brilliant. Over six innings, he allowed just one run, scattering hits and punching out 13 batters–a record number of strikeouts in a winner-take-all postseason game. He also set a mark with seven consecutive strikeouts, tying or setting a postseason benchmark.
Yet, despite that dominant outing, his exit would ultimately become a point of debate. Manager A.J. Hinch pulled him after 99 pitches and six innings, a decision that would echo through postgame coverage.
Offensively, Kerry Carpenter was Detroit’s spark. He went 4-for-4 and launched a two-run homer in the sixth to give Detroit a 2-1 lead. His performance made him the first player since Babe Ruth to get a home run and multiple times on base in a winner-take-all game.
But the Tigers squandered several opportunities, especially in extras. They stranded runners, failed to manufacture more, and saw Seattle’s bullpen survive inning after inning. Meanwhile, Seattle kept grinding–tying the game in the 7th on a Leo Rivas RBI single.
In the crucible, the Mariners outlasted their opponent. Polanco’s 15th-inning walk-off capped the night in heart-wrenching fashion for Detroit.
Pulling the Ace & Managerial Scrutiny
One of the most scrutinized moments came in the 7th inning, when Hinch opted to take Skubal out. At the time, Detroit still led, and Skubal was cruising. But pitch count, exhaustion, and long-term health were factors in making the call.
“After the fifth [inning], I checked in on him–how he was doing physically and emotionally. We both knew that he had one [inning] left,” Hinch said. “He emptied his tank and was emotional coming off the mound, and I think that signals exactly where we were in the game. He gave us everything he could. He’s pitched on regular rest now three or four starts in a row. He empties his tank from pitch one. It was an easy decision.”
Critics argue that removing a pitcher with 13 strikeouts and elite stuff in that spot was risky– especially since the bullpen couldn’t preserve the lead.
“It will hurt for a little bit, and then you got to rechannel that into motivation to make yourself never want to feel that feeling again,” Skubal said. “That’s what motivates me–trying to win a World Series. Being on a team that’s playing late into October, that’s the motivation for me. I just want to win. Obviously, we fell short this year, but we’ll be back. I’m confident in that.”
The Tigers’ Future
Detroit came into this ALDS with momentum, edging Cleveland in the Wild Card round and leveling the series nicely. They showed fight, but the script ends with frustration.
The Tigers must regroup. They showed postseason grit and star-making performances, but lacked the final push. This offseason will be crucial: adding bullpen depth, finding offense, and shaping a core that can return stronger next year.
“I think the World Series should be the standard, right?,” Skubal said. “I think that’s why you pay the game–to compete and win the World Series every year. I don’t think the ALCS should be the standard. I don’t really know if the ALDS should be the standard. The standard should be the World Series. It’s going to be up to a lot of the guys in this clubhouse. We’re young, coming back again. It’s going to be up to our offseason and how we attack it.
“For me, personally, get back in the gym, get my body underneath me and get ready to go again. I think the World Series should be the standard from everyone in this organization.”
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