5 Reasons the Seattle Mariners Can Crush the Detroit Tigers In the ALDS

The Seattle Mariners are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. They will face a stiff test in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers. Who will prevail?

1. Crushing Middle Power (Cal Raleigh + Late-Season Surge From Julio Rodriguez)

The Mariners’ top offensive weapon this season has been their middle of the batting order. Cal Raleigh’s historic power season (60 HR) gave Seattle a capable middle of the order that can change a playoff game with one power swing. Rodríguez’s late-season has provided the other half of the balance (table-setter + cleanup thunder). That kind of sustained thunder can shorten games and force the Tigers to work around the big bats.

2. Rotation Depth For a Short Series

Another advantage the Mariners have heading into this ALDS is how deep the bullpen is. While Detroit leans heavily on former Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal (understandably), Seattle has multiple reliable arms (Luis Castillo, Bryan Woo, George Kirby) who can give quality, multi-inning outings. In a best-of-five, having a three-headed rotation reduces variance and makes it far likelier Seattle gets two quality starts without overexposing its bullpen.

On the flipside, this does mean the Mariners’ bats, especially that middle of the order I mentioned earlier, have to make contact when they have to face Skubal. You only need 3 wins to win a playoff series. If Skubal starts twice, it will make Detroit’s task easier.

3. A shutdown late-inning group (and a top-tier closer)! 

Seattle’s bullpen has been one of the team’s strengths in leverage spots, which provides the Mariners with another advantage against the Tigers in this upcoming ALDS. Andrés Muñoz locks down late innings, and a supporting group can preserve small leads or keep the game close while the offense hunts a homer. In the playoffs, reliable late relief is a huge multiplier.

4. Home-Field Advantage

Opening at T-Mobile Park gives the Mariners the comfort of familiar sight lines, pitching matchups in front of their fans, and the ability to set the tone. Winning Game 1 at home flips the pressure onto Detroit and forces the Tigers into must-win road games. And of course, there is how rowdy the Seattle crowd can be.

5) Regular Season Head-To-Head and Momentum Advantages! 

Seattle went 4–2 against Detroit during the regular season. That small sample suggests matchup familiarity and the ability to expose Detroit’s weaknesses in this upcoming ALDS. Add Seattle’s momentum (AL West title, hot hitters) and you have a club peaking at the right time versus a Tigers attack that’s more top-heavy. Momentum + matchup knowledge matter in a short series.

Bottom Line

The Seattle Mariners combine top-end power, multi-arm rotation depth, a trustworthy late bullpen, home-field leverage, and favorable head-to-head/in-season knowledge. In a five-game series, those five factors multiply: one big homer, two quality starts, and lockdown late innings win you the series. Not only should the Mariners have the tools to defeat the Tigers, but they should be the favorites heading into the ALDS.