The Detroit Tigers pulled off a gritty upset on Thursday night, advancing to the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners with a decisive 6-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series. It was a night that felt like payback for the Tigers, who had clawed their way into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed after a rollercoaster regular season. Wenceel Pérez's bases-loaded two-run single in the fourth inning broke the game open, silencing the Progressive Field crowd and propelling Detroit westward for the next round.
Indeed, this matchup pits the surging Tigers against a Mariners team that clinched the AL West with a strong finish, earning the No. 2 seed and home-field advantage for the best-of-five series. Seattle, fresh off a bye, will host Games 1 and 2 at T-Mobile Park, starting Saturday, October 4. Game 1 kicks off at 1:08 p.m. ET, with coverage on FOX, followed by Game 2 on Sunday at 4:08 p.m. ET on FS1. If the series stretches, Game 3 heads to Comerica Park on Tuesday, October 7, though exact times for later games remain fluid pending earlier outcomes.
However, the Tigers' momentum can't be overlooked. Their improbable run through the Wild Card, defying odds as the first No. 6 seed to upend a higher seed since the 2022 format change, adds a layer of unpredictability. Detroit's pitching staff, led by probable starter Tarik Skubal for Game 1, will face Seattle's ace Luis Castillo. Moreover, travel logistics now shift dramatically—the Tigers jet to the Pacific Northwest immediately, adjusting rotations on the fly. Fans in Detroit are already snapping up tickets for potential home games, with resale prices climbing fast.
Yet, for all the excitement, this ALDS feels like a test of resilience more than raw talent. The Mariners' home dominance could prove decisive, but Detroit's underdog fire might just spark another surprise. As the first pitch approaches, one can't help but ponder how far this Tigers resurgence will carry them in October.