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The Detroit Tigers have already gone further than many expected after having a historic meltdown in the second half of the season. They beat their nemesis, Cleveland, in the wild card playoffs and then defeated the Seattle Mariners 3–2 on Saturday night in the first game of that series.
And it only gets better. Tarik Skubal, touted as one of the best — if not the best — pitchers in the majors, will take the mound Sunday at 8:03 p.m. in Game Two of the playoff series against the Mariners.
One thing going for the Tigers in recent days is their pitching. Overall, it has been excellent. The Tigers are still stranding too many runners on base and striking out too often, but they’ve managed to win with some key hits at the right time.
Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press writes:
To make it even better for the Tigers, Skubal will pitch in Game 2 on Sunday, and he could pitch in Game 5 – if this series goes that far. Yes, the Mariners have a talented team, but I like those odds for the Tigers.
Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News writes:
It took extra hours and extra innings and lots of extra pitchers, but the Tigers just took the largest leap imaginable. They jumped the Mariners in Game 1 of the ALDS, grinded as they generally do, and now suddenly, it’s all possible.
Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic writes:
Here in the American League Division Series, though, these frontrunners turned underdogs once more went toe-to-toe with the star power of the Seattle Mariners’ lineup. They came out with a 3-2, extra-inning win in Game 1...
They have guaranteed themselves two more games at Comerica Park, and just maybe, this odd road odyssey will all be worth it.
Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated:
The Mariners did not respect the danger ever present in Carpenter’s bat, and that is why they suffered a brutally painful 3–2 loss Saturday. They burned their closer for six outs and still lost, knowing they are staring at seeing the best pitcher on the planet, Tarik Skubal, two of the next four possible games, including Game 2 Sunday. Ouch.
