Detroit’s season ends in heartbreak as Tarik Skubal’s playoff dominance is paused by a Game 5 exit that many blame on A.J. Hinch’s quick pull after 99 pitches. The loss casts a pall over the winter ahead and raises big questions about Hinch’s risk calculus and Detroit’s near-term plans.

Skubal’s looming free agency after 2026 looms large. With Boras guiding the process, the Tigers’ window to win may hinge on whether they commit long-term to him or let another club chase his big contract. The Tigers face a crucial offseason at the winter meetings, balancing payroll, rotation needs, and the best chance to keep Skubal in Detroit—or watch him go elsewhere.

Seattle sprinted to a 2-0 advantage in the ALCS, riding leadership from J.P. Crawford and power from the lineup’s new pieces. Jorge Polanco belted a pivotal three‑run shot as Julio Rodríguez followed with another early big swing, setting a tone Seattle would not relinquish. Cal Raleigh and Eugenio Suárez chipped in, while Josh Naylor’s Canadian‑born homer underscored the day’s offensive onslaught. A rookie Yesavage fightback gave Toronto life, but the Mariners’ depth and a sharp bullpen carried the lead. The path to Seattle’s first pennant feels real, two wins away, with a disciplined game plan fueling every result.

Seattle seized a 2-0 lead in the ALCS by rolling over Toronto 10-3 behind a power surge from Rodríguez, Polanco and Naylor. Rodríguez opened with a three-run blast, Polanco followed with a three-run shot in the fifth, and Naylor added a two-run homer in the seventh as Seattle’s offense punished Toronto’s pitching. The Jays managed only six hits, with Guerrero Jr. 0-for-3, and Santander scratched with a sore back. Seattle’s bullpen delivered another clean outing, four relievers combining for six scoreless frames, and the rotation heads to Toronto for Game 3 with Kirby vs. Bieber on the horizon.

Two days after the opener, Seattle’s ability to string hits and keep the Jays quiet stands out, while Toronto’s lineup struggles to mount a consistent threat. The home-field advantage themed day under a breezy Canadian Thanksgiving backdrop did little to lift Toronto. The Mariners, riding a thriving bullpen and big swing from their stars, look to close the series in Toronto as the rotation stabilizes and the offense shows continued depth. Game 3 looms as a pivotal moment in a drought-smothered franchise’s postseason narrative.