Game 3 of the American League Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers takes place Tuesday afternoon at Comerica Park in Detroit. First pitch is set for 4:08 PM ET. The series is tied 1-1 after two close games that each ended 3-2. Seattle evened the series Sunday after dropping the opener in extra innings. Both teams have been evenly matched all year, splitting the season series 5-5.
Seattle finished the regular season 91-73 and enters with a strong pitching staff and consistent bullpen. Detroit went 90-77 and was one of the better home teams in the American League at 46-35. Both teams are getting strong production from their stars, and Tuesday’s matchup between Logan Gilbert and Jack Flaherty could determine the momentum of the entire series.
Tigers Preview – Back Home Looking to Regain Control
Detroit returns home with confidence despite Sunday’s loss. The Tigers’ offense struggled in Game 2, recording just three hits, but this lineup has proven capable of breaking out at home. Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene will be key in getting early runs, especially with how dominant Seattle’s pitching has been through two games.
Jack Flaherty gets the start for Detroit. The right-hander threw 4 2/3 innings in his last playoff start, allowing one run on three hits in a Wild Card win over Cleveland. For his career, Flaherty is 2-0 with a 4.22 ERA in four starts against Seattle. He’s been sharp early in games, but command issues in later innings have occasionally hurt him. Detroit needs a deep outing from him with the bullpen taxed from the last two contests.
Detroit’s bullpen has been a concern. The group owns a 3.60 ERA on the season but has allowed 10 runs over its last 13 2/3 innings. Will Vest and Tyler Holton have been their most reliable arms. Closer Kyle Finnegan has a 3.39 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP but was used heavily down the stretch. Detroit is averaging 4.62 runs per game while allowing 4.23, and they will need more offensive spark to support their pitching staff. A return home could provide that boost, as Comerica Park crowds have been strong all year.
Mariners Preview – Gilbert and Bullpen Remain Steady
Seattle sends Logan Gilbert to the mound, one of their most consistent starters down the stretch. Gilbert has a 2.30 ERA over his last five starts and has allowed just seven earned runs in his last 30 innings. Against Detroit this year, he went 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA, striking out 19 in two starts. He’s shown excellent command, averaging nearly six innings per start in September, and has limited walks to one per game during that span.
Seattle’s bullpen remains one of the best in baseball. The group has a combined 3.18 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Andrés Muñoz continues to close out games with power pitching, and Gabe Speier has provided reliable left-handed support. Eduard Bazardo and Matt Brash add strikeout depth, giving Seattle multiple high-leverage options. That depth has allowed manager Dan Wilson to mix matchups late in games, a key advantage in tight playoff contests.
On offense, Julio RodrÃguez has been the spark. He’s 4-for-9 with a home run and three RBIs in the series. Jorge Polanco’s two solo home runs in Game 2 gave Seattle the edge, and Ty France and Cal Raleigh continue to grind out quality at-bats. Seattle averages 4.70 runs per game while allowing 4.26. The lineup has been inconsistent but has the ability to hit for power and manufacture runs. One potential absence looms — first baseman Josh Naylor remains away from the team for personal reasons. His power bat is missed, but Seattle’s lineup has found ways to adapt.
Betting Prediction
Oddsmakers have Seattle listed as a -130 favorite, with Detroit priced at +110. The total is set at 7.0 runs, with slight juice to the Over. The series has been low-scoring so far, with both games finishing under, but the offenses could start to open up now that the series shifts to Detroit’s hitter-friendly park. Covers’ model projects a 4.75-3.9 Seattle win, supporting the road favorite and the Over.
Seattle has gone 7-3 in Gilbert’s last ten starts, and the Mariners’ bullpen advantage should help late. Detroit’s bats could respond at home, but unless they can chase Gilbert early, the Mariners are better equipped to protect a lead. Flaherty has pitched well but faces a Seattle lineup that grinds pitch counts and punishes mistakes. The combination of Gilbert’s consistency and Seattle’s late-inning arms make the Mariners the safer side in Game 3. Predicted final score: Seattle 5, Detroit 3. Seattle wins and the game sneaks over the total.
Pick: Mariners -130 and Over 7
