On Friday, Oct. 10, the Detroit Tigers’ season came to a close in dramatic fashion as they were eliminated from the post season, falling to the Seattle Mariners 3-2 in a 15-inning Game 5 that many fans viewed as tragic and heartbreaking.
The American League Division Series was a battle, with both teams trading wins through the first four games. Detroit took Games 1 and 4, while Seattle claimed Games 2 and 3. Each team won once at home and once on the road, setting up a decisive winner-take-all Game 5 in Seattle to determine who would advance to face the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS. Toronto swept the Yankees in dominant fashion, winning all three games of their series.
Game 5 began at 8 p.m. and kept fans up past 1 a.m., lasting nearly five hours and making MLB history as the longest winner-take-all postseason game ever played. The game featured 472 pitches, 115 plate appearances, 15 pitchers, 37 strikeouts — tying for third-most in postseason history — and 22 runners left on base (10 by the Tigers).
Detroit’s pitching staff delivered a strong performance throughout the night. Starter Tarik Skubal, a pending free agent and likely Cy Young winner, was electric on the mound. He pitched six innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out 13. Skubal also set an MLB postseason record by striking out seven consecutive batters.
Despite the dominant outing from Skubal, the Tigers couldn’t capitalize offensively. Kerry Carpenter was the lone bright spot at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. The rest of the lineup struggled, going just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranding 10 runners — a key factor in the late extra innings.
The game remained tied deep into extra innings until the 15th, when reliever Tommy Kahnle surrendered a walk-off single to Mariner’s infielder Jorge Polanco. Kahnle allowed two hits, one earned run and one walk in the final frame, sealing Detroit’s 2025 fate.
The loss not only ended the Tigers’ postseason hopes but also raised questions about the future of their ace. Skubal is expected to command a major contract in free agency, and Friday’s outing certainly supported his case. New York’s teams, the Mets and Yankees, are among the top suitors.
While Detroit has financial flexibility, the franchise has historically been conservative with high-value signings, and re-signing Skubal would be uncharacteristically expensive.
For Tigers fans, the ending was bitter. The team showed promise, especially on the mound, but the lack of timely hitting proved costly. The frustration among fans is palpable, and the offseason now looms with uncertainty.
Detroit may need to reevaluate its roster, explore trades and address its offensive shortcomings. The way the season ended doesn’t sit well with fans, and it could mark the beginning of another difficult chapter for the franchise.
Whether Skubal stays or goes, the Tigers face a pivotal offseason — one that could shape the future of the team for years to come.