The Detroit Tigers are heading to the American League Division Series after a gritty 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the wild-card round on Thursday night. It was a turnaround moment for a team that had stumbled badly down the stretch, blowing a massive division lead and entering the playoffs as underdogs on the road. Dillon Dingler's homer in the sixth and a four-run seventh inning sealed the deal, pushing Detroit past a rival that had haunted them all September. Now, the Tigers face the Seattle Mariners, who earned the No. 2 seed with a solid 90-72 regular season.
Indeed, this matchup pits two teams with contrasting paths to October. The Mariners, fresh off a bye, boast home-field advantage at T-Mobile Park. Game 1 kicks off Saturday, October 4, at 5:38 p.m. PT on FS1, assuming the Yankees wrap up their wild-card series—though that could shift if Boston pulls through. Game 2 follows Sunday at 5:03 p.m. PT, also on FS1, keeping the pressure on Seattle's starters early. If the series goes longer, Detroit hosts Game 3 on Tuesday, October 7, at Comerica Park, with potential dates for Games 4 and 5 midweek after.
However, the Tigers' momentum can't be ignored. Tarik Skubal's dominance in Game 1 of the wild card—14 strikeouts in a 2-1 win—sets up a possible rematch against Seattle's ace Luis Castillo. Yet, Detroit's bullpen depth will be tested after Casey Mize's rough Game 2 outing. Mariners fans, meanwhile, eye Bryan Woo's availability, a key for their rotation. This series could hinge on pitching matchups and those timely hits that eluded the Tigers late in the year.
Moreover, travel logistics add another layer, with the winner eyeing an ALCS clash against Toronto or the Yankees-Red Sox survivor. For Detroit, reaching this stage marks a resilient comeback, but Seattle's home crowd and experience in tight games loom large. As the first pitch approaches, one wonders how these wild-card warriors will stack up in a best-of-five grind.