It took 15 innings and nearly five hours, but the Seattle Mariners finally punched their ticket to the ALCS for the first time since 2001, outlasting the Detroit Tigers in a thrilling Game 5. Now, they’ll face the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays in what promises to be a high-stakes clash of contrasting styles. Let’s break down how each team got here—and what to expect in the American League Championship Series.
Blue Jays Dominate Yankees in Four-Game Statement
Toronto made quick work of their division rival, the New York Yankees, taking the series 3-1 and looking in control from start to finish. The Blue Jays outscored the Yankees 34–19 and collectively hit a staggering .338.
The offense was led by:
· Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.529)
· Daulton Varsho (.438)
· Ernie Clement, who was sensational, going 9-for-14 (.643) with one home run and five RBIs
On the mound, Kevin Gausman and rookie Trey Yesavage set the tone. Yesavage made history, striking out 11 and throwing 5 1/3 no-hit innings—the best postseason debut ever by a Blue Jays pitcher. Though the Yankees rallied after his departure, Toronto held on to win Game 2 by a score of 13–7.
For New York, Aaron Judge (.600, 1 HR, 6 RBI) was one of the few bright spots, along with midseason acquisition Ryan McMahon (.300), who also contributed defensively. The Yankees’ lone win came in Game 3, thanks in part to Judge’s three-run homer.
In Game 4, the Jays bounced back immediately. They scored in the top of the first off rookie Cam Schlittler, added runs in the 5th and 7th (thanks to a costly error by Jazz Chisholm Jr.), and closed it out with a 5–2 win. The bullpen was lights out, holding the Yankees to just six hits.
In the end, Toronto simply outclassed New York in every facet—offense, pitching, defense—and head into the ALCS with momentum and swagger.
Tigers and Mariners Battle in Epic Five-Game Duel
While the Jays-Yankees series was lopsided, the Tigers and Mariners gave us a classic. After a post-All-Star collapse nearly derailed their season, Detroit battled back to beat the Guardians and push the 2nd-seeded Mariners to the brink.
This series was a gritty, low-scoring affair, with both teams struggling offensively:
· Mariners team slash line: .207/.292/.342
· Tigers team slash line: .201/.271/.333
Cal Raleigh was the offensive standout for Seattle, hitting .381 with a homer and four RBIs.
The first two games were tight, each ending 3–2. George Kirby struck out eight over five innings in Game 1 for the Mariners, while Tarik Skubal dominated Game 2 for Detroit—striking out nine over seven innings, though two costly homers from Jorge Polanco spoiled his outing.
When the series shifted to Detroit, the bats finally woke up. Seattle took Game 3, 8–4, behind long balls from Eugenio Suárez, J.P. Crawford, and Raleigh again. Logan Gilbert delivered six strong innings with seven strikeouts.
Refusing to go quietly, the Tigers exploded in Game 4, winning 9–3 with 13 hits and home runs from Javier Báez, Gleyber Torres, and Riley Greene.
Then came Game 5—an instant classic.
It was Skubal vs. Kirby again, and both delivered. Skubal struck out 13 over six innings, joining Bob Gibson and Gerrit Cole as the only pitchers with multiple 13+ strikeout postseason games—Skubal is the only one to do it twice in a single postseason. Kirby matched him pitch-for-pitch, giving up just one run over five innings.
The Tigers briefly took a 2–1 lead in the sixth, but Seattle tied it in the seventh. The two teams then traded zeroes for seven and a half innings before Jorge Polanco finally broke through in the 15th with a walk-off RBI to send Seattle to the ALCS.
ALCS Preview: Firepower vs. Firepower
This matchup feels like the classic case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
The Blue Jays are on fire offensively and make consistent contact, boasting some of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball. On the other hand, Seattle’s elite rotation—featuring George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and the returning Bryan Woo—has the tools to cool down any lineup.
Game 1 is set for Sunday in Toronto, with Bryce Miller taking the mound for Seattle against Kevin Gausman for the Jays.
Toronto’s pitching doesn’t match Seattle’s depth, so if the Mariners’ offense can do just enough, their rotation could carry them. But counting out the Blue Jays would be a mistake—they grind out at-bats, keep the line moving, and don’t quit until the final out.
This best-of-seven is going to be a war.
If Seattle’s rotation performs as expected and the bullpen holds, they have the edge. But Toronto’s relentless offense could wear them down over a long series. Buckle up—this ALCS has all the makings of a classic.