The stage is set for one of the most dramatic showdowns of the 2025 Major League Baseball postseason as the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers prepare to clash in Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). With both teams locked at two games apiece, Friday night’s winner-take-all contest at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park promises fireworks, history, and perhaps even heartbreak for one of these determined franchises.
Let’s rewind a bit. The Seattle Mariners, riding high after clinching their first AL West title since 2001 with a 90-72 record, earned a direct ticket to the ALDS. Their fans, starved for playoff glory and still dreaming of a maiden World Series appearance, have been buzzing since the regular season’s final out. On the other side, the Detroit Tigers’ journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After blowing a 14-game division lead and squeaking into the postseason as a No. 6 seed, Detroit stunned the Cleveland Guardians in the Wild Card Series to earn this shot at redemption.
This ALDS has already delivered its fair share of drama. Game 1 saw the Tigers snatch a 3-2 victory in 11 innings, with Detroit’s resilience on full display. Seattle stormed back in Game 2, eking out a 3-2 win thanks to late-inning heroics and a clutch RBI double from Julio Rodríguez. Game 3 swung the pendulum again, as the Mariners held off a furious ninth-inning rally to take an 8-4 win and a series lead. But just when it looked like Seattle might close things out, the Tigers roared back in Game 4, turning a 3-0 deficit into a 9-3 blowout behind home runs from Riley Greene, Javy Baez, and Gleyber Torres. That victory not only kept Detroit’s season alive but also forced Friday’s decisive Game 5.
And what a Game 5 it’s shaping up to be. Originally slated for a late afternoon start, the contest was bumped to primetime—8:08 p.m. Eastern (5:08 p.m. Pacific)—after the Toronto Blue Jays eliminated the New York Yankees in their own ALDS matchup. With the Blue Jays advancing, the Tigers and Mariners now hold the spotlight as the only MLB game on the calendar, airing live on Fox and streaming via Fubo. The later start means a raucous, packed house in Seattle, where the hometown crowd is sure to bring the noise.
On the mound for Detroit is none other than Tarik Skubal, the presumptive 2025 AL Cy Young Award winner. Skubal, who made a name for himself at Seattle University, now returns to the Pacific Northwest for the biggest start of his career. His postseason has been impressive—he allowed just two runs (both on Jorge Polanco home runs) over seven innings in Game 2, though the Mariners ultimately prevailed. Skubal’s regular-season dominance and postseason poise have given the Tigers hope that he can silence Seattle’s bats when it matters most.
Seattle, meanwhile, is likely to counter with George Kirby. Kirby was solid in Game 1, surrendering just two runs over five innings while striking out eight. However, he’ll have to keep an eye on Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter, who’s a remarkable 5-for-11 with five home runs against Kirby this year, including a crucial two-run blast in Game 1. The Mariners’ strategy may hinge on keeping Carpenter and the heart of Detroit’s lineup in check, while hoping their own offense can crack the code against Skubal.
For both franchises, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Tigers are aiming for their first ALCS appearance since 2013, while the Mariners haven’t reached that stage since their magical 2001 run. The winner will head north to Toronto for Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday, October 12. The Blue Jays, having dispatched the Yankees, await their next challenger with home-field advantage for the first two games—and, should the series go the distance, for Games 6 and 7 as well.
Expert predictions for Game 5 are split, underscoring just how evenly matched these squads are. Detroit Free Press writers offered a range of picks, with some favoring the Tigers’ momentum and Skubal’s arm, while others believe Seattle’s home-field advantage and hungry fanbase will tip the scales. "The Tigers have Tarik Skubal and momentum, but the Mariners have George Kirby and one of the best home records in the American League," wrote Carlos Monarrez, predicting a walk-off win for Seattle in extra innings. Evan Petzold countered, "Not only is Tarik Skubal the Tigers' ace, but he's also the best pitcher in the world… The Mariners aren't beating the Tigers in four Skubal starts in the same year, so expect a win for the Tigers."
What’s clear is that both teams have shown remarkable resilience. The Tigers, already battle-tested after surviving a winner-take-all Wild Card Game against the Guardians, have proven they can thrive under pressure. Their offense, dormant for stretches, has erupted at key moments—none bigger than the nine unanswered runs that turned Game 4 on its head. The Mariners, meanwhile, have fed off their passionate home crowd and boasted one of the league’s best records at T-Mobile Park. With a chance to send their loyal fans into a frenzy and finally banish the ghosts of playoff heartbreak, Seattle’s players know what’s at stake.
Adding to the intrigue is the personal storyline for Skubal, pitching in his college town with everything on the line. "If he brings his A-game, he's going to give the Tigers a phenomenal chance to advance to their first ALCS in over a decade," noted one local report. But Mariners fans are counting on Kirby and the bullpen to keep things close and give their sluggers a shot at late-game heroics.
As for the rest of the baseball world, all eyes will be on Seattle Friday night. With the Blue Jays already through and the Yankees sent packing, this is the only game in town—a fitting finale to a series that’s had a bit of everything: extra-inning thrillers, comeback wins, and star turns from some of the game’s brightest young talents.
So, who will seize the moment? Will Detroit’s ace deliver another masterpiece and send the Tigers back to the ALCS for the first time in 12 years? Or will the Mariners, buoyed by their raucous home crowd, finally take the next step toward their elusive first World Series? One thing’s for sure: fans from Seattle to Detroit—and all across the baseball world—won’t want to miss a single pitch.
With the tension mounting and both teams just nine innings from glory or heartbreak, Friday night’s Game 5 promises to be a classic. Buckle up, baseball fans. The only certainty is that history will be made under the lights at T-Mobile Park.
