Morning everyone! Happy Friday!
Only one playoff game today sadly. But it’s going to be a doozy. The Detroit Tigers and the Seattle Mariners are set to face off in the deciding Game 5. It’s been years since the Tigers found October glory while the M’s are still searching for that elusive first World Championship. One of these teams is going to continue to go after a ring, while the other is about to see their season come crashing down and head out for the winter. Stakes literally could not be higher.
As the #2 seed in the AL the Mariners will get to host this fifth and final game of this close series. And they’ll be turning to one of their most prized young arms to get them to their first ALCS since 2001 when they send righty George Kirby to the mound with their season on the line. Kirby, a former 1st-rounder way back in 2019, burst onto the scene looking as good as advertised but has taken a step back in each season since, culminating in this season’s 4.21 ERA. He dealt with some shoulder woes at the start of Spring Training and just never quite found his groove, but he can put his struggles this season in the rearview mirror if he pitches the game of his life and gets his team to the next round.
Detroit plans to counter the Mariners with arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Tarik Skubal. The elite left-hander had an even better season than last, with a lower ERA, less walks, and more strikeouts. The likely AL Cy Young winner for the second consecutive season, Skubal looked sharp in Game 1 when he led the Tigers to victory thanks to seven strong innings, allowing just two runs while racking up nine strikeouts. The Tigers would probably take that, but a shutout performance would give the Tigers some mental relief and take some pressure off the Detroit lineup. This could be a career-defining start for Skubal, who’s now in his sixth season as a big leaguer but is set to play in the biggest game of his life tonight. Is the moment going to be too big for Skubal?
So one contest tonight. Who do you guys think takes the winner-take-all game? Comment below! And have an excellent Friday A’s fans!