After an extra-inning thriller in Game 1 between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers, both teams are eager to get underway for Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Sunday night.
Detroit took the series opener 3-2 in 11 innings, thanks to Kerry Carpenter’s clutch two-run homer that sparked a late comeback. Zack McKinstry delivered the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 11th, giving the Tigers an early advantage in the best-of-five series.
Seattle’s stars Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh each tallied three hits in the loss, providing much of the Mariners’ offensive firepower but falling just short in extra innings.
Game 2 features another marquee pitching matchup, with Seattle right-hander Luis Castillo set to face Detroit ace and likely American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Castillo was strong during the regular season, going 11-8 with a 3.54 ERA and 162 strikeouts. Skubal, coming off a dominant 14-strikeout outing in the wild-card series against the Cleveland Guardians, finished the season 13-6 with a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts.
Following their Game 1 win, the Tigers have opted to keep the same lineup and defensive alignment. The Mariners, meanwhile, made minor adjustments — moving Josh Naylor, Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez around in the batting order and replacing Dominic Canzone with Mitch Garver as designated hitter.
As first pitch approaches at T-Mobile Park, Seattle will look to even the series before it shifts to Detroit. The Tigers, however, hope to keep their momentum going and take a commanding 2-0 lead back home to Comerica Park.