LiveMariners vs. Tigers ALDS Game 5: How to watch, starting pitcher, score
by Seattle Times sports staff · The Seattle TimesALDS Game 5 (series tied 2-2)
Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers
5:08 p.m. | T-Mobile Park | Seattle
TV: FOX | Radio: KIRO 710 AM
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The Mariners and Tigers (tied 2-2 in the American League Division Series) will play for their playoff lives at 5:08 p.m. The decisive Game 5 will determine which team gets to advance to face the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series — one step away from the World Series.
For Seattle, George Kirby takes the mound. But multiple other starting pitchers will be available to pitch out of the bullpen with the season on the line.
First pitch is coming up. Against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Randy Arozarena gets things started at the top of the M’s lineup.
What to know before Game 5
2:48 pm
Mariners say multiple other starting pitchers available to pitch in Game 5
1:06 pm
12:30 pm
Mariners tap George Kirby to start pivotal Game 5 vs. Tigers
12:10 pm
4:28 pm
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4:13 pm
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How are the crab claws and caviar, really?
When the Mariners released their postseason menu last week, no dish screamed more “PNW” than eight Pacific snow crab claws served in a souvenir helmet with a side of caviar-topped creme fraiche dip (sold for $29.99) a pop at the Way Back Crab Shack in the outfield.
Siblings Nathan and Macey Wong, attending the game with their mother Elaine, shared their verdict: “It’s okay,” Nathan Wong said. “I really like it!” his sister replied.
Jennifer Vollmer made it a priority to try the crab claws when she first entered the ballpark.
“I’m so happy they’re here,” Vollmer said, squeezing a lemon wedge onto her next bite.
—Nicole Pasia
3:32 pm
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Ferry crews short-handed ahead of Game 5
Mariners fans relying on Washington State Ferries might be delayed this afternoon due to a shortage of mariners.
WSF sent a rider alert pleading with travelers to walk onto boats to Seattle instead of driving aboard. "Expect extensive delays returning home after the game," officials warn baseball fans. Also, three trips have already been scrapped tonight in Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes.
Sudden and long-term cancellations were rampant in the early 2020s, when COVID-19, early retirements and a slow recruitment pipeline decimated crews. Reliability has since improved to 98.3%, or 3,024 completed sailings out of 3,077 scheduled trips last week, said John Vezina, WSF deputy director.
Are crew members playing hooky so they can watch the Mariners themselves, or the Huskies game later today? "Our employees have sick leave, that we respect when they use," Vezina answered.
Dispatchers were contacting on-call mariners and were still scrambling at 3:15 p.m. to assign them on short notice. Specific delays or cancellations will be announced later tonight in WSF rider alerts.
Walk-on riders after Mariners, Huskies and Reign FC games tonight face a slight chance of delay, but it will be far worse for people in motor vehicles, Vezina said.
—Mike Lindblom
3:12 pm
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Hinch on Raleigh: ‘I watch everything this guy does’
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, in his final news conference before Game 5, was asked about what he has come to appreciate about Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh during this ALDS.
Hinch, a former big-league catcher, gave a long and eloquent answer.
“I’m glad this is the last game I have to deal with Cal because he’s a real threat from both sides of the plate,” Hinch said. “But I think his ability to stay in the moment is different than others around the league. His ability to separate offense and defense is elite. He is getting beat up by these balls in the dirt, and he just asks for more.
“He obviously hits in the first inning, so when we were at home, I was watching his routine as to when he leaves the starting pitcher to get ready for his at-bat, which is the official changeover from the defensive mindset to the offensive mindset. I watch everything this guy does because he’s put together a historic season even amongst the expectations rising.
“Obviously, we’d love for him to have a quiet night. I’ll congratulate him on his season after the game. I respect the way he goes about it, not just what he does. The homers, the durability, constantly in the lineup speaks for itself. But the way he does it I think garners the respect he deserves.”
—Adam Jude
3:06 pm
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Mariners remain ‘hopeful’ after Bryan Woo throws off mound
If the Mariners manage to get past the Tigers on Friday, they could have a difficult decision to make around their starting pitching going into the American League Championship Series.
Will they include Bryan Woo on their ALCS roster?
In what appeared to be an encouraging step forward, Woo threw about 30 pitches off the mound in the T-Mobile bullpen on Friday afternoon, three hours before the start of ALDS Game 5.
—Adam Jude
3:02 pm
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Why ALCS travel will get easier for Mariners fans, if they advance
If the Mariners win Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Friday night, Alaska Airlines plans to try and make it a little easier for fans hoping to follow the team to Toronto.
The Seattle-based airline says it will add an additional nonstop flight from Seattle to Toronto on Saturday provided the M’s beat the Tigers. The flight would leave Seattle at 9:18 a.m. PT and include a Mariners-themed party at the departure gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
—Tim Booth
KEY UPDATE
| 2:48 pm
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Mariners say multiple other starting pitchers available to pitch in Game 5
George Kirby will start on the mound for the Mariners in Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday.
After that, several other Mariners starters could be available in a relief role.
—Adam Jude
2:28 pm
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Bryan Woo throws about 30 pitches in bullpen session
2:17 pm
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Watch: Mariners warm up underneath T-Mobile Park roof
Three hours before first pitch, Mariners players seemed relaxed but focused, going through usual infield drills and even tossing around a football.
The roof at T-Mobile Park remained closed, but the skies above are starting to clear.
In just a few short hours, this place is going to explode with excitement. For now, it’s business as usual.
—Sean Quinton
2:05 pm
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Mariners fan shows off creative DIY trident outside of ballpark
Though first pitch isn’t for another few hours, dozens of Mariners fans are already milling around outside of T-Mobile Park.
Seattle-born and Mariners-raised fan Bella del Valle, 27, proudly displayed a giant, do-it-yourself trident made of PVC pipe and cardboard and spray-painted gold.
Del Valle will be watching the game from the nearby Hall on Occidental, so she won’t have to worry about taking the trident through security.
“Go M’s!” she said, “This is going to be monumental if they win.”
—Nicole Pasia
2:00 pm
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Will Mariners fans create their own earthquake?
Will Mariners fans feel the Earth move under their feet during Game 5? The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network hopes so.
The PNSN installed a seismometer ahead of Friday's game at T-Mobile Park to measure seismic energy that's released during earthquakes or other ground-shaking events like, say, a Cal Raleigh home run.
At nearby Lumen Field, Seahawkas running back Marshawn Lynch created the "Beast Quake" at when he scored a touchdown in 2011. That seismic record was edged out by Taylor Swift in 2023 during her Eras tour.
—Paige Cornwell
1:40 pm
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Traveling to the ballpark? Allow extra time
Like playoff baseball itself, attending today's Game 5 requires extra time, whether you're driving or taking mass transit to the ballpark.
The Mariners' 5:08 p.m. first pitch comes nearly an hour before the Husky football game's 6 p.m. kickoff, but baseball fans will mix with weekday traffic. Freeways are already stop-and-go at 1 p.m. southbound from Shoreline to Sodo, and northbound from Beacon Hill to Northgate, not an unusual pattern for early-fleeing Friday commuters.
Prime parking commonly reaches $120 for the nearest spaces to T-Mobile Park. People score cheaper stalls downtown, or the fringes of Sodo a mile south. Time's running out to catch Sounder gameday trains that leave Lakewood at 2:11 p.m. or Everett Station at 2:45 p.m.
Read here for a more detailed travel preview.
—Mike Lindblom
1:39 pm
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Ichiro and Tucker the dog run the field
—Sean Quinton
1:34 pm
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Mariners manager: Castillo, Gilbert, Miller all available to pitch
1:30 pm
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SMILE, you're on camera! At Mariners games, every fan’s reaction is captured
As Jorge Polanco hit his second home run Sunday night, a row of fans in Section 211 quickly unveiled a five-person-long Mariners flag. Meanwhile, in Section 120, a fan in a white Julio Rodriguez jersey tried to high-five everyone in the row behind him. And in Section 308, a once-full beverage cup appeared to soar when someone lost their grip amid the excitement.
The reactions were all captured by a multicamera system that photographs every fan at T-Mobile Park during big moments, like Polanco’s home run, or smaller moments, like the Hydro Challenge.
If you were at a Mariners home game this season, you can see what you looked like and then download dozens of those free images, as a ball went out of the park, hot dogs from heaven parachuted from the upper deck or everyone sang along during the Seventh Inning Stretch. And if you’re at Friday’s Game 5 against the Detroit Tigers in T-Mobile Park, remember to smile — you’re on camera.
—Paige Cornwell
1:28 pm
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Scenes from the Game 3 watch party
Tuesday feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?
Earlier this week at T-Mobile Park, fans gathered to watch the Mariners beat the Tigers in a rain-delayed Game 3 in Detroit. Seattle Times features engagement reporter Nicole Pasia was there, hanging out with fans and snapping photos as anxious excitement gave way to jubilation in a big 8-4 Mariners win.
Read our full recap from the Tuesday watch party here.
—Nicole Pasia
1:14 pm
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Bars where you can watch a winner-take-all Game 5
All right, Mariners fans: It all comes down to this. The M's and the Tigers will battle it out Friday evening at T-Mobile Park in Sodo for a trip to the American League Championship Series.
Nervous?! That's understandable.
The Seattle Times has you covered: We rounded up eight Seattle-area bars where you can watch the big game with like-minded fans.
—Bethany Jean Clement
1:09 pm
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Pain at the parking lot
Heading to tonight’s game? Perhaps plan on taking public transit or ride sharing.
Prices for event parking at lots around T-Mobile Park, normally around $30 to $70 during the regular season, now start at $80. At the Mariners Garage (301 Edgar Martinez Dr. S., Seattle), expect to shell out $100.
Read more about the stiff, and expensive, competition for parking spots here.
—Nicole Pasia
KEY UPDATE
| 1:06 pm
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Mariners announce Game 5 lineup
The Mariners are running it back with the same lineup for Game 5 as the last time they faced Tigers ace Tarik Skubal earlier in the American League Division Series.
1:00 pm
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Wins and loss: Playoffs hit hard for Mariners fans grieving loved ones
Baseball fans in Seattle and beyond are praying that the M's continue their quest for the World Series on Friday night. Emotions are fraught.
For a few local fans, this playoff campaign is hitting extra hard.
The Seattle Times spoke to several Mariners die-hards about family, baseball and grief. About a love for this team that has brought loved ones closer together — and how some are watching the games without family members who recently died without seeing an M's championship.
—Sofia Schwarzwalder
12:45 pm
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Eat your feelings: New bites at T-Mobile Park
Headed to T-Mobile Park on tonight for Game 5 of the ALDS between the Mariners and Tigers? Think you might need to stress-eat?
You're in luck: The Mariners rolled out several new menu items for the 2025 postseason, including a miniature baseball hat full of crab claws (paired with caviar, naturally).
Read the full story here, including notes on locations and prices.
—Jackie Varriano
KEY UPDATE
| 12:30 pm
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Mariners tap George Kirby to start pivotal Game 5 vs. Tigers
The Mariners decided to go with the starting pitcher that had an extra day of rest over the one with a little more overall experience in Friday’s elimination game at T-Mobile Park.
Following a late-afternoon workout with the roof closed on Thursday, Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced that right-hander George Kirby would start Game 5 of the American League Division Series vs. the Tigers.
Wilson also had the option of going with Luis Castillo to start Game 5. But Kirby, who started Game 1, had an extra day of rest.
“George Kirby will be on the mound for us,” Wilson said. “He certainly threw very well the first game of the series, and he comes back on good rest. We’re ready for tomorrow and excited that George has the ball."
—Ryan Divish
12:20 pm
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Emotionally ready for the Mariners game? This story will help.
The Mariners will play this evening, under a brisk October sky, one game that will either continue this surging, joyful, improbable season, or end it, once again, in disappointment.
They will face the best pitcher in baseball.
More than 47,000 people will fill T-Mobile Park in Sodo, rising from every seat, leaning on every railing, standing in every concourse. They will stand when there are two strikes, when there are two outs, they will yell themselves hoarse. The stadium will be a swirl of hope, anxiety, exhilaration, tension.
Many multiples more will watch or listen at home, at bars, with friends. It will be appointment viewing.
These moments have been so rare. Six playoff appearances in 49 years. Eighteen years before they ever made the playoffs. A 21-year playoff drought. The only team never to make the World Series.
For the Mariners, mostly, there has been decade after decade of blah.
—David Gutman
KEY UPDATE
| 12:10 pm
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How to watch Mariners vs. Tigers in Game 5
If you were lucky (or fast, or just willing to drain your savings), maybe you scored one of the coveted Game 5 tickets to be there in person. If so, plan ahead: expect crammed transit, crowded walkways and limited and expensive parking. T-Mobile Park will be packed, loud and electric.
Or maybe you’ve already scouted out your go-to sports bar or watch party and are heading in early to claim your spot, ready to shout at every borderline strike call like it’s a personal offense.
For the rest of us? The couch crew? The lucky socks, rally hat, “I-can’t-move-or-they’ll-lose” (or “move to a different room in the house” for every bad play) people? Here's how you can watch the winner-take-all-playoff game.
—Yihyun Jeong
12:05 pm
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After mammoth meltdown, it’s time for Mariners to stand up or stay down
It’s up to the Mariners to prove they can recover from Wednesday’s mammoth emotional wallop — and beat Tarik Skubal for a fourth time in the same season.
“When you get knocked down you either stand up or you stay down,” said Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, who went 1 for 4 in defeat. “We’re going to get back up and fight.”
If that metaphor feels familiar, there’s a reason. After Seattle dropped three of its first four games on a pivotal road trip, Crawford said on Sept. 2: “Sometimes when we get knocked down in the fight, we stay down, and we can’t have that right now.”
Back then, Seattle didn’t stay down, ripping off 17 wins in 18 games to save its season and win the AL West. But none of that matters if the Mariners’ collective mettle melts under a playoff spotlight.
—Mike Vorel
12:02 pm
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Why nearly every Mariners pitcher should be available vs. Tigers
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said it best Wednesday night after the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory over the Mariners forced a do-or-die Game 5 in the American League Championship Series.
“There are no secrets when you get this deep into a series,” Hinch said.
Hinch had a hunch Mariners manager Dan Wilson would turn to Gabe Speier when he did in the decisive fifth inning of Game 4, and Wilson said he knew it was likely that Hinch would pinch-hit to get a right-handed batter in to face the left-handed Speier, the sort of back-and-forth strategy that is heavily scrutinized in October.
—Adam Jude
12:00 pm
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A Mariners win vs. Tigers is only acceptable outcome
A banner for a division title will be hung for the first time in 24 years.
That won’t be enough.
A catcher hit 60 home runs and may go on to win the American League MVP Award.
That won’t be enough.
Champagne filled the clubhouse twice this year. The front office has loaded this team with stars. Clutch performances have permeated the season and captivated the city.
But none of that will be enough without a win Friday night against the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Mariners fans need more.
—Matt Calkins