Motown Sports Talk

A Wild Turnaround in Game 4

Going into Wednesday, Detroit’s offense had been nearly silent in the first three games of the ALDS. The Tigers had scored very little — unable to generate sustained rallying threats in Games 1–3. But in Game 4, with their backs to the wall in front of their home fans, Detroit unloaded: 9 runs across innings 6, 7, and 8 to storm back and crush Seattle 9–3. 

Here’s how that rally unfolded:

• The game was 3–0 Seattle entering the bottom of the 5th, and the crowd had increasingly voiced its frustration and fear that the season was about to end. 
• In the bottom of 5, the Tigers began to stir: Dingler drove in a run with a double, Jones doubled, and Báez added a run-scoring single to tie it at 3. 
• Then came the 6th and 7th:
  • Riley Greene smashed a solo homer to give Detroit the lead. 
  • McKinstry singled in another, Báez launched a two-run homer. 
  • In the 7th, Gleyber Torres added a solo homer. 
• In the 8th, Báez chopped a fielder’s choice that drove in another run. 

That kind of offensive eruption (9 runs over three innings) was a dramatic reversal from the first half of the series, and it’s the kind of pressure swing that can flip momentum.

Meanwhile, the pitching side for Detroit held Seattle fairly in check once the comeback momentum started. Their bullpen limited further damage, after starter Casey Mize’s early exit. 

This win feels like a turning point. What looked like a probable season-ending loss — with boos in the stands, mounting frustration — is now a reset. But Game 5 is a totally different beast.

What to Watch in Game 5: Keys to Victory

1. Skubal needs to set the tone
   The winning formula must begin with a strong start by Tarik Skubal. Ideally 6–7 solid innings, no Mariner homers, and keeping Seattle off rhythm. Detroit can’t let the game slip away early.

Skubal’s regular-season 2025 line is elite: 13–6, 2.21 ERA, 241 strikeouts, and a 0.89 WHIP. 

In the postseason ALDS, he has one start: 7.0 innings, 5 hits, 2 ER, 9 strikeouts. 

Notably, some betting projections suggest Skubal has struggled vs. Seattle in the regular season — two appearances, ERA ~5.91 — though small sample caveats apply. 

2. Early run support is critical
   The offense can’t wait until innings 6–8 to score again. They need to pressure the Seattle starter early, string hits, manufacture runs, and avoid falling behind. If Detroit is chasing, it puts extra strain on Skubal and the bullpen.
3. Relief arms must hold firm
   The Tigers’ bullpen will have to smooth over the late innings, especially given the high-leverage nature of elimination games. No collapse. No repeated “soft spots.”
4. Smart baserunning, defense, execution
   Aggressive but smart base running, stingy defense, and avoiding errors or self-inflicted wounds will matter more in Game 5 than ever.
5. Psychological edge, momentum, crowd and narrative
   Detroit comes in riding the high of a dramatic comeback, while Seattle might be rattled. If the Tigers frontload aggression, it could further tilt the mental battle

Game 5 Odds & Matchups

• As of current betting lines, Detroit is a -140 moneyline favorite, while Seattle is +118. 
• The run total (over/under) is 5.5. 
• Some sources list alternate spreads: Tigers −1.5 at +145, Mariners +1.5 at −175. 

On the Seattle side, the official starter hasn’t been universally confirmed in all sources, but many projections expect George Kirby (10–8, 4.21 ERA) to get the call.  If Kirby is the starter, his stat line is modest compared to Skubal’s ace-level season. 

So Detroit holds both a pitching (if Skubal is sharp) and betting edge, plus now some swagger from the Game 4 turn.

Final Thought

Wednesday’s Game 4 was one of those “season saved” performances — when elimination loomed, the Tigers answered in dramatic fashion. That story arc gives them a shot at flipping the momentum, and the home crowd likely will recall Wednesday’s comeback with pride.

But let’s not kid ourselves: Game 5 is an entirely different animal. If Detroit repeats the earlier series’ offensive futility, even Skubal might be overwhelmed. The margin for error is razor-thin.

If I were writing the headline: “Skubal throws 7, Tigers jump early, bullpen locks it down: Detroit punches ticket to ALCS.” That’s the blueprint.

Let’s see if they can make it real.