The Detroit Tigers Lose a Historic Game 5 and a Memorable Series

What a game and what a series. Game 1 and Game 5 were extremely similar, with both going to extras and the final score ending 3-2. Truly, coin flip games and the Mariners came up heads when it mattered the most.

Game 5 was truly one of the most intense games I have watched. The Tigers’ bullpen was running out of arms and finding themselves in dangerous spots, but somehow kept getting out of jams.

Blow after blow like two heavyweights, both exerting whatever was left of their energy.

The Mariners finally worked deep enough into the Tigers’ bullpen and took advantage of Tommy Kahnle, ending the game on a walk-off single, concluding the longest winner-take-all game in postseason history.

The Tigers came into the series as underdogs. The Mariners had the better roster, bigger stars, and deeper pitching staff. Detroit gave them all they could handle but in the end it wasn’t enough.

Big Names Didn’t Step Up

It’s no secret that the Tigers do not have a murders’ row of a lineup. They needed their core players to step up and deliver in this series, and too many of their big names didn’t show up. Kerry Carpenter did all he could to singlehandedly steal the series, but ultimately, he needed more help.

In my eyes, the biggest disappointment was Riley Greene.

Yes, he hit a home run in the Tigers’ 9-3 game four victory, but was a no-show the rest of the series. Overall, Greene went 3-for-18 in the series, including a few moments where he had the chance to change the narrative, but instead, what he did more than anyone else in baseball – strikeout.

Spencer Torkelson, your former first overall pick, finished 4-for-21. After a rebound season, I expected Torkelson to at least have a pulse in this series and perhaps even run into a baseball. Nope, a dead spot in the middle of the lineup.

Colt Keith is not nearly as established as the aforementioned names, but he was your top prospect who was given a long-term contract before he even debuted. I did not expect him to put together the impact that was expected from others, but a 1-for-15 series is completely unacceptable.

Three players that should help drive offense and impact those close games, and all three were not ready for the bright lights. In a series in which the Tigers lost two different games by one run, it’s hard not to have those lackluster at-bats from these three burned into your mind.

The Biggest Deadline Addition Failed

The Tigers needed an impact move at the deadline. The fans knew it and the stats only cemented that need. Everyone could see regression was on the way while injuries continued to pile up. Detroit went with a quantity over quality with the most impactful player brought in being Kyle Finnegan.

In all fairness, Finnegan pitched well during the regular season. He established himself as a true high leverage arm and deserved the chances he was given in this series. However, he was the difference in two of the Tigers losses.

In Game 2, Finnegan was called upon after seven strong innings from Tarik Skubal and allowed three hits and what would go on to be the game-winning run.

Even the outs he recorded were long fly balls that did not instill confidence. Fast forward to Game 5, same situation. Skubal gets pulled after six magnificent innings, and here comes Kyle Finnegan.

He could not find the zone and walked the first batter. Every pitch looked off, and he was struggling to hit his spots. Up 2-1, Finnegan gave up an RBI to pinch-hitter Leo Rivas, celebrating his 28th birthday, which quickly turned into celebrating his first postseason hit after nine years in the minors.

The Tigers could not lean on Will Vest in every situation. They needed Finnegan, a veteran with plenty of high-leverage experience, to come in and keep the score the same. Both times he faltered, allowed a run, and each game ended in a Tigers loss.

Tarik Skubal Put on a Show

If you had any doubts that Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball, I think this series cleared it up. In Game 2, Skubal went seven innings, allowing two runs while striking out nine. Both runs came in the form of solo shots from Jorge Polanco.

The real showing was in the decisive winner-take-all Game 5. Six innings, two hits, no walks, and 13 strikeouts. A historic night that ended with back-to-back 99 mph strikes before blowing 100.9 mph right down the middle past Cal Raleigh, erupting Skubal’s signature roar.

His 13 strikeouts were the most in a winner-take-all game in MLB history.

AJ Hinch then turned to his bullpen with Skubal just shy of 100 pitches. A decision that was scrutinized, especially after a run was given up after he exited, but after some reflection, I think it was the right call.

Skuball has only thrown over 100 pitches three times this season. He’s a fiery competitor who would have demanded to stay in if he knew he could, but there was no argument at all. I think he was spent, and pulling him was the right move.

Final Thoughts

Detroit had every opportunity to win that series. Game 2 was a gut-wrenching one-run loss. Game 5 saw a number of opportunities with runners on and no outs in extra innings, and the Tigers simply were not clutch enough.

Only one team goes home happy each year. The offense was frustrating and not nearly deep enough, to say the least. Without a doubt, the team will need improvements over the offseason in order to return to the ALDS.

However, after some time has passed, I think we will look back and be proud of some aspects of this team during the series.

They are still young and have more help on the way. We all hate morale victories, and I’m not calling this series one, but a necessary growing pain with higher aspirations still in sight.