Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the Tigers in the winner-take-all Game 5 matchup against the Mariners on Friday night in Seattle. 

The Tigers’ ace has looked every bit of the reigning American League Cy Young winner that he is during this Detroit playoff run, but the Mariners have been his kryptonite in 2025. 

In both starts against Seattle this season, Skubal allowed three or more earned runs – something he did just ten times total all year. 

While it isn’t the best matchup for the southpaw, I’m not letting a couple of regular-season starts scare me away from perhaps the best pitcher in baseball. 

As mentioned, Skubal has been lights out this postseason. 

In Game 1 of the wild-card series, Skubal punched out 14 Guardians over 7 ⅔ innings while allowing just one run during a Tigers win. 

Last Sunday, he dominated the Mariners over seven innings, striking out nine while allowing two earned runs. 

Despite his struggles against Seattle during the regular season, Skubal maintained his usual strikeout rate, punching out 13 over 10 ⅔ innings. 

It’s safe to assume the Tigers will ride their ace in Game 5, too, with their bullpen depleted. 

No Detroit starter aside from Skubal has pitched past the fifth inning in this series – and that’s following three straight days of games against Cleveland during the wild-card round. 

Even if he gives up a couple of runs early, the Tigers are going to let their guy go as far as he can in what may be the final game of their season.

The play: Tarik Skubal Over 8.5 strikeouts (-140, FanDuel Sportsbook)

Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.