MLB division series: Top moments, analysis for Tigers-Mariners Game 5 - ESPN

This is October baseball at its finest!

It's time for a win-or-go-home Game 5 in the American League Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park.

The Tigers, who entered these playoffs as the No. 6 seed, will look to ride their momentum from a dominant Game 4 win in Detroit on Wednesday to a second consecutive victory. The Mariners, the No. 2 seed with home-field advantage, hope to secure their first trip to the American League Championship Series since 2001.

Which team will come out on top to face the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL pennant?

We've got you covered with pregame lineups and the keys to Game 5 along with top moments and takeaways after the final out.

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Mariners strike first thanks to Josh Naylor's aggressive baserunning

Mitch Garver pushes across the first run of Game 5! <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALDS?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#ALDS

pic.twitter.com/TJ9rFcEcxz

Series tied 2-2

Game 5 starters: Tarik Skubal vs. George Kirby

Key to winning Game 5 for Seattle: In 1997, Hall of Famer Randy Johnson went 20-4 with a 2.28 ERA for the Mariners. One team, however, had his number: He started five times against the Orioles, including twice in the ALDS, and the Mariners lost all five games.

Skubal is the 2025 version of Johnson — and the 2025 Mariners seem to have his number. In his second start of the season, the Mariners beat him 3-2. In July, they scored four runs off of him in five innings, including a Julio Rodriguez home run, and won 12-3. In Game 2 of this series, Jorge Polanco homered twice as Skubal left trailing 2-0, with the Mariners eventually winning 3-2. Three Skubal starts, three Mariners victories.

Now, Seattle has to do