The Detroit Tigers split the first part of the ALDS with the Seattle Mariners, as they won Game 1 but lost Game 2. The Game 2 loss stings, as Tarik Skubal's outing didn't result in a win.
That makes the rest of the series a bit more challenging, but fortunately, the series is coming back to Detroit, as the Tigers get to play in front of their home fans for the first time this postseason.
Jack Flaherty will be on the mound for the Tigers' first playoff game in Detroit this season. And in a piece from Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press, Flaherty shared a wish with Tigers fans for the first game at Comerica Park this October.
Tigers' Jack Flaherty shares wish with Tigers fans ahead of ALDS Game 3
"I'm hoping for a good atmosphere and a good crowd," Flaherty said. "Detroit shows up. You hear about it, so it's something I'm looking forward to. I'll feed off that energy."
This game will be Detroit's first home playoff game after losing 3-2 to the Cleveland Guardians in 2024. Just like the Tigers-Guardians ALDS from a year ago, the Tigers and Mariners are tied 1-1.
In 2024, the Tigers won Game 3 to be just one win away from moving on to the ALCS, but then lost the final two games, including Game 4 in Detroit, to the Guardians.
On the hill for Detroit is Flaherty, and as he said, he is hoping for the Tigers' home crowd to have the team's back. He said he will "feed off that energy" that Tigers fans bring. With the chance to make a deep postseason run, Tigers fans have plenty of reason to be amped for Game 3 of the ALDS.
The Mariners are a good team, but they're susceptible to being streaky. Jorge Polanco hurt the Tigers in Game 2, but he and many other Mariners hitters were non-factors in Game 1.
More: Tigers owner Chris Ilitch comments on a Tarik Skubal extension after Wild Card win
Flaherty will face a tough lineup, which includes Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, and Eugenio Suarez. The veteran Tigers starter is coming off a great outing against the Guardians in the Wild Card series, in which he went 4.2 innings and allowed one run.
But, with his 4.64 ERA in 2025, and the American League leading 15 losses, there's reason to be concerned. Detroit will need to have his back in the ALDS, as a strong crowd could help the right-hander turn in a strong performance once again in October.
After their disastrous second-half collapse to lose the division, the Tigers seemed like a team dead in the water. But, with their win over the Guardians in the Wild Card round, and now splitting the first two games in Seattle, the Tigers look like a team capable of making a World Series run once again.
The Tigers and Flaherty are set to face the Mariners and Logan Gilbert in Game 3 of the ALDS. Flaherty needs to have his best outing of his Tigers career on Tuesday, with the winner of the game taking control of the series and being just one win away from the ALCS.
More Tigers News:
- Tigers make ridiculous MLB postseason history with wild card series win over Guardians
- Tigers' Tarik Skubal joins elite company with stellar outing, but not enough to beat Mariners
- Tigers-Mariners ending: Detroit's Zach McKinstry drives in winning run in 11th inning of ALDS Game 1
- Tigers owner shares interesting belief after Wild Card win over the Guardians