DETROIT – Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal shared his thoughts on watching the team’s performance in Game 4 of the ALDS, describing it as full of ups and downs but ultimately rewarding, as the team took a 9-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners to force a Game 5.
“It was a ton of fun, obviously, to come out on the side that we came out on after being down 3-0,” said Skubal. “You almost felt like the season was coming to an end for our guys to battle back and keep grinding.”
Skubal praised Riley Greene‘s home run in a crucial moment.
“I saw the swing, heard it. I thought the ball went to left center. That was way back. Big swing. That’s the guy he is,” Skubal said.
Skubal also spoke highly of Troy Melton‘s ability to rise to the occasion.
“He just focuses on what he does. Throwing strikes, going right after guys, getting into leverage,” Skubal said.
Reflecting on his own experience with Game 5 situations, Skubal said he approaches it as a fresh start.
“I’m going to just do what I do best, and that’s play baseball and try to execute pitches,” Skubal said.
Skubal emphasized the importance of focusing pitch by pitch and executing the game plan.
“Every game means a ton. The game stays the game,” Skubal said.
Skubal described his routine after returning from Seattle, preparing mentally and physically for the next start.
“I flew back, got back to work. My routine has stayed the same,” Skubal said.
On facing the same team in the same stadium again, Skubal noted the competitive nature of the matchup.
“This is what competition’s all about. This game is so beautiful,” Skubal said.
The pivotal game of the series will be on Friday (Oct 10) in Seattle, with Skubal taking on George Kirby.
Detroit hopes its hot bats will travel to Seattle, just as the Tigers’ nine runs were their most in a postseason game since scoring 13 in Game 6 of the 1968 World Series.
Wednesday’s (Oct. 8) victory was the Tigers’ first at Comerica Park since Sept. 6, 2025, when they took down divisional foe, the Chicago White Sox, 6-0.
The 2-2 series has been centered around home runs and strikeouts as the Mariners took a 2-1 series lead Tuesday night behind three home runs and great pitching for their 8-4 Game 3 victory.
On Wednesday, Detroit followed suit as they, after trailing 3-0, went on to hit three home runs in nine at-bats to blow the game open.
Prior to that, the Tigers hit home runs in 2-260 at-bats.
First pitch for the Tigers and Mariners is slated for 8:08 p.m. The winner will take on the No. 1-seeded Toronto Blue Jays in the best-of-seven in the ALCS.