Well had them all the way am I right? After a truly terrifying and historic collapse that saw the Detroit Tigers lose the AL Central division on the final weekend of the 2025 season, they pulled themselves together just in time to take down the Cleveland Guardians and finally claim top dog status in the division…at least for now. With that Game 3 victory in the Wild Card round, the Tigers earned the right to take on the Seattle Mariners in the American League Divisional Series starting on Saturday, October 4.

The Tigers got a strong outing from Jack Flaherty, and all around brilliant games from Javier Báez and Dillon Dingler. AJ Hinch pulled all the right levers, other than the Tommy Kahnle lever, but the best move he made proved to be the one he didn’t make. Like most of the fanbase, we were begging him to pinch-hit Jahmai Jones for Wenceel Pérez in the fifth against lefty Joey Cantillo with Kerry Carpenter on first after a walk. Pérez then grounded into the double play and the whole fanbase lost our collective minds for a few minutes.

Fittingly, Pérez then lashed a two-run single that broke the game open and sparked a four-run rally in the seventh.

Ah baseball. It’s theme song could be “I Can Drive You Crazy” by Sierra Ferrell.

On to Seattle Tigers fans!

Will Vest was amped, or perhaps his hand was still stinging from Torkelson’s heater.

Javier Báez, team leader and game saving clutch performer, has his mind fully on business.

Dan Dickerson calls the final out.

Time for some triumphant team pictures in Progressive Field.

AJ Hinch brought things back to the season’s first win in Seattle, and Tigers legend Alan Trammell was once again on hand to get doused by players he’s coached through the minor leagues.

Hinch and his catcher took the podium afterward to speak to the media.

Catcher of the present and future, secured. First Tigers catcher to cut down a stolen base attempt and hit a home run in the postseason since Lance Parrish in Game 5 of the 1984 World Series.

The citizenry is, as the kids say, but don’t actually say anymore if an older person says it, lit.

Evan Petzold of the Freep asked Chris Ilitch about a Tarik Skubal extension in the clubhouse. That was predictably dodged. Anyway, someone bookmark this one for later…