A sleepless night in Seattle will be the start of a long winter for the Detroit Tigers, who now face the daunting task of contemplating what they could have done differently to salvage their 2023 MLB season. As the team processes their defeat, manager AJ Hinch remains steadfast in his decision-making, particularly regarding the controversial choice to pull ace Tarik Skubal during a pivotal moment in their postseason run.
In a dramatic Game 5 of the AL Division Series, the Tigers' skipper described his choice to remove Skubal after six innings as an “easy decision.” Despite Skubal's impressive performance, which included a historic 13 strikeouts, the Tigers ultimately fell to the Seattle Mariners in a grueling 15-inning battle, ending their season with a 3-2 loss. The Mariners managed to tie the game in the seventh inning following Skubal's departure and clinched victory with a walk-off single from Jorge Polanco.
During his six innings on the mound, Tarik Skubal exhibited dominance, allowing only one run on two hits and setting a record for the most strikeouts by a starter in a winner-take-all postseason game. At one point, he struck out seven consecutive batters, showcasing his elite pitching skills. However, as the game progressed, the Mariners worked deep counts, ultimately raising Skubal's pitch count to 99 by the end of the sixth inning.
After the game, Hinch explained that he had checked in with Skubal about his physical and emotional state. Both recognized that he had one inning left in him, but Hinch felt it was time to make a strategic move. “He emptied his tank and obviously was emotional coming off the mound,” Hinch remarked. “He gave us everything he could.” With Skubal having pitched on regular rest for several consecutive starts, Hinch believed that the decision to pull him was justified.
While it is easy to speculate what might have transpired had Skubal remained in the game, Hinch emphasizes that he will not lose any more sleep over the outcome. Following Skubal's exit, the bullpen managed to hold the Mariners to just two earned runs over nine additional innings. “That was an incredible win for them,” Hinch acknowledged, reflecting on the tough loss. “I wish them well in the next round. They earned it, and that was an epic game.”
With this victory, the Seattle Mariners advance to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2001, where they will face the Toronto Blue Jays. Game 1 is set to take place on Sunday night at Rogers Centre, marking a historic moment for the Mariners as they seek to continue their postseason journey.
