The Detroit Tigers didn’t get the sweep they wanted in Seattle, but they’re taking the series back to Comerica Park tied 1–1, and that’s exactly the position Tarik Skubal and company were aiming for.
A road split and a clear head
After the Seattle Mariners evened the American League Division Series with a 3–2 win in Game 2, Tarik Skubal wasn’t sulking. He was smiling.
“We did our job,” Skubal said via the Detroit News. “We have home-field advantage now.”
Skubal, who struck out nine batters over seven strong innings, refused to let negativity creep in, even after giving up a pair of solo home runs that proved decisive.
“Obviously, you want to win every single game, but that’s not reality. It’s impossible,” he continued. “But we get to go home and play in front of the best fans in baseball. It’s not that we’re satisfied going home 1-1. But I like to think optimistically, not glass half empty in that sense. We did accomplish something coming here and taking one from them.”
It’s classic Skubal, pragmatic, competitive, and quietly confident.
AJ Hinch’s steady hand
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch didn’t hide his disappointment at the missed opportunity, but his message was clear: Detroit is still right where it wants to be.
“We couldn’t quite create enough pressure,” Hinch said. “Obviously it’s a frustrating loss because every loss at this time of year is frustrating. But I’m proud of our group and excited to get home.”
The Tigers haven’t played a game at Comerica Park since September 21, and haven’t won there since September 6. That home-field energy can’t come soon enough.
Finnegan’s accountability
Reliever Kyle Finnegan, who surrendered back-to-back doubles to Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez in the eighth inning, took full responsibility.
“We’d have loved to get this one,” Finnegan admitted. “But we’re playing good ball. These were two really good games and we’re headed back 1-1. This one stings a little bit. If I’d have gone out and kept it tied, we might’ve had some magic at the end of the game. But it’s 1-1. Could be worse.”
That mix of honesty and optimism runs through the entire clubhouse, a group that’s playing loose and believing in its own momentum.
Skubal keeps perspective — and his humor
When asked what he planned to do now that the series is shifting to Detroit, Skubal flashed the grin that’s made him a clubhouse favorite.
“First thing I’m going to do is go to the field and make sure I stay on my routine and prepare for my next start,” he said. “Then I’m going to go to sleep. Sleep and laundry. I’m down to my last clean pair of underwear. And then wake up excited to go to the yard. Home playoff game. Can’t wait to hear the environment we can provide and use it to our advantage.”
For a team that’s spent two weeks on the road, that line hit home, literally and figuratively. The Tigers are tired, but they’re not rattled.
No panic. No quit. Just belief.
Seattle may have evened the series, but Detroit’s mood after Game 2 said everything about where this team is mentally. They’re calm. They’re confident. And they’re coming home.
“There is no quit in this group,” Skubal said. “We battled our ass off all game.”
Expect Comerica Park to be electric when the Tigers take the field on Tuesday. Because for all the talk of missed chances, the Tigers still hold the most important edge of all… belief.
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