Seattle Mariners Pull Off Jaw-Dropping Comeback, Igniting Playoff Push and Fan Frenzy

The Seattle Mariners open the American League Division Series tonight at T-Mobile Park against the Detroit Tigers, and the matchup already has a dramatic twist: breakout ace Bryan Woo has been left off the roster with right-pectoral inflammation, forcing Seattle to reshuffle its pitching plans. Mariners’ Game-1 blueprint George Kirby (10-8, 4.21 ERA) draws the Game 1 start, looking to replicate last October’s success when he delivered six shutout innings in the Wild Card round. Manager Scott Servais confirmed that Luis Castillo will follow in Game 2, while Logan Gilbert and rookie Emerson Hancock are penciled in for Games 3 and 4 if necessary. Projected Seattle lineup vs. Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal: 1. J.P. Crawford SS 2. Julio Rodríguez CF 3. Cal Raleigh C 4. Mitch Haniger RF 5. Ty France 1B 6. Dominic Canzone LF 7. Eugenio Suárez 3B 8. Josh Rojas 2B 9. Dylan Moore DH Key storyline: replacing Bryan Woo Woo’s 2.67 ERA since June was the second-best in the AL, and his high-octane fastball generated the league’s eighth-highest whiff rate (31%). Without him, the Mariners will lean on a deeper bullpen that added veteran Paul Sewald hours before the playoff deadline. Expect Servais to mix-and-match Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash and Gabe Speier behind Kirby for the final nine outs. What to watch • Julio Rodríguez vs. high-velocity: Skubal averaged 96.7 mph on his fastball, but Rodríguez slugged .598 against heaters 95-plus. • Late-inning edge: Seattle went 29-11 in one-run games, tops in MLB, thanks to Muñoz (1.72 ERA after July 1). • Home-field boost: The Mariners posted a 49-32 record at T-Mobile, and the crowd noise reached 112 dB during last year’s postseason, roughly equivalent to a rock concert. Schedule & how to watch • Game 1: Sat., Oct 5 – 7:10 p.m. PT, TBS / Root Sports NW • Game 2: Sun., Oct 6 – 6:05 p.m. PT, FS1 • Game 3: Tue., Oct 8 – 4:40 p.m. PT, TBS (at Detroit) • *Game 4: Wed., Oct 9 – 5:07 p.m. PT, FS1* • *Game 5: Fri., Oct 11 – 6:40 p.m. PT, TBS (Seattle)* Streaming options include MLB.tv (out-of-market), Sling TV, Hulu Live and YouTube TV; local fans can authenticate via Root Sports to watch on the Mariners app. X-factor hitters • Ty France: 13-for-35 (.371) lifetime vs. Detroit pitching. • Spencer Torkelson: Tigers’ slugger posted a .939 OPS over the final two months. Why this series matters Seattle is chasing its first ALCS berth since 2001, the year Ichiro Suzuki won MVP and Rookie of the Year. The franchise snapped its 21-year playoff drought in 2022 and has built a sustainable core around Rodríguez, Kirby and Woo. A victory over Detroit would set up a showdown with the top-seeded Baltimore Orioles—another club built on homegrown talent—cementing the Mariners as a bona fide World Series contender. Bottom line Even without Bryan Woo, the Mariners’ elite defense, deep bullpen and raucous home crowd give them a realistic path to advance. Game 1 will hinge on George Kirby’s command and the offense’s ability to capitalize early against Tarik Skubal. Buckle up, Seattle: October baseball is back, and the road to history starts tonight.