Tarik Skubal sends message to Tigers fans after tough Game 2 loss vs Mariners

Despite another strong outing from ace Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers came up short on Sunday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners. Skubal struck out nine across seven innings, allowing just five hits and two earned runs, but Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan allowed back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the eighth, which ended up being the difference in a 3-2 victory for Seattle.

Skubal has now put together two winning performances for Detroit in the 2025 playoffs. His first outing was a 14-strikeout masterclass in an ALWC Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. It was a pitching clinic that completely rejuvenated a Tigers franchise that had just snuck into the playoffs after a disastrous second half of the regular season.

Now, as the Tigers head back to Detroit having split the opening two games in Seattle, Skubal and his teammates are embracing the fact that they’ve already snatched away home-field advantage in this series.

Tigers’ Tarik Skubal sends positive message to fans entering Game 3

The Tigers haven’t played a home game at Comerica Park since September 21. That should make their return to Detroit for Game 3 of the ALDS all the more satisfying.

Tigers fans are sure to be in top form, too. When the team lost to the Atlanta Braves at home to end the regular-season slate at Comerica, fans weren’t sure if it was the last time the Tigers would be playing at home for the rest of 2025. No one was. Playoff hopes were hanging by a thread, and now that Detroit is returning to their home field — with a chance to advance to the ALCS, no less — it’s something of a triumphant development.

Following the tough Game 2 loss in Seattle, Skubal sounded pumped up about going back home.

“We get to go home and get to play in front of the best fans in baseball,” Skubal said, per Detroit Free Press’ Jeff Seidel.

“I think we did our job. We have home-field advantage now. So obviously you want to win every single game, but that's just not reality. That's kind of impossible to do. I don't think that's ever happened. It's not that we're satisfied going home 1-1, but I like to think optimistically, not kind of glass-half-full in that sense.”

Jack Flaherty will take the ball in Game 3 for Detroit, Casey Mize in Game 4. If both starters lock in, the Tigers could launch themselves into the ALCS before this series has a chance to return to Seattle. It would be the farthest the Tigers have advanced since 2013. Bring the noise, Detroit.