Overview

• Game 5 is Friday at T-Mobile Park with the series on the line after Detroit forced the decider with a Game 4 rally.
• Skubal has dominated this postseason overall, yet Seattle has beaten Detroit in his previous three starts against them, including a 3-2 loss in ALDS Game 2.
• He allowed seven runs in 10.2 innings across two regular-season starts versus the Mariners, then gave up two over seven in this series.
• Analysts highlight possible fatigue after recent high pitch counts and note Seattle’s plan to avoid chasing, which has worked better against him than most opponents.
• Detroit’s inconsistent offense and a less-trusted bullpen raise the stakes for run support and late-inning execution against a deep Mariners pitching staff.