The Detroit Tigers once again find themselves in a win-or-go-home situation as they face the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Friday night. It’s a familiar position for Detroit, which thrived under similar pressure in the wild-card round, defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 on the road to advance.
With the series tied 2-2, the Tigers will need another clutch road performance to punch their ticket to the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
A key player to watch throughout the game will be Kerry Carpenter, who has struggled mightily this postseason, batting .185 with a .333 slugging percentage. Through seven playoff games, Carpenter has one home run and four RBIs — but that lone homer came off George Kirby in Game 1 of the series, the same pitcher who will start for Seattle in tonight’s decisive Game 5.
Carpenter has consistently found success against Kirby throughout his career. In regular-season matchups, he’s 4-for-8 with four home runs and seven RBIs — an astounding display of dominance against one of Seattle’s top arms. That success prompted Tigers manager A.J. Hinch to move Carpenter into the leadoff spot for Game 5, hoping to maximize his opportunities at the plate.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays await the winner after eliminating the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Game 1 of the ALCS is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.
Can Carpenter’s success against Kirby continue and help Detroit extend its postseason run? The Tigers are counting on it.