Mariners vs Tigers: Logan Gilbert Dominates, Raleigh & Crawford Go Deep — Mariners One Win From ALCS

Mariners vs Tigers: Seattle rode a vintage Logan Gilbert outing and homers from Cal Raleigh, Eugenio Suárez and J.P. Crawford to an 8–4 win over Detroit in ALDS Game 3. Read the full Mariners vs Tigers recap, player stats, tactical takeaways, series outlook, where to watch Game 4, suggested sources and publishing meta details. (Keywords: Mariners vs Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Mariners Game Today, Logan Gilbert, Mariners Tigers, Detroit Tigers Seattle Mariners Game, Tigers Score)

Quick scoreboard — the top-line facts

• Final (ALDS Game 3): Seattle Mariners 8, Detroit Tigers 4 — Seattle takes a 2–1 lead in the American League Division Series.
• Pitching star: Logan Gilbert — six innings, 7 K, 1 ER, 0 BB. A vintage playoff outing that set the tone.
• Offense: Homers from Cal Raleigh (two-run, ninth-inning), Eugenio Suárez, and J.P. Crawford powered Seattle’s attack.
• Next: Game 4 (Detroit at home) — Tigers face elimination; matchup projected Casey Mize (DET) vs. Bryce Miller (SEA).

Lead / Hook — why this game matters

This wasn’t just another playoff win. Seattle’s Game 3 victory on Detroit’s turf pushed the Mariners to the brink of their first American League Championship Series since 2001 and changed the series’ momentum. After two tightly contested games in Seattle, the Mariners’ ability to win on the road — backed by a dominant starting pitching performance and three big homers — dramatically improved their odds to advance. For Detroit, the loss leaves an already-pressured rotation and a suddenly slumping home ballpark staring at elimination.

Game narrative — inning-by-inning highlights

Early frames — Seattle grabs control

Seattle broke through in a messy third inning when Detroit committed defensive miscues and the Mariners turned the opportunity into runs. Logan Gilbert settled into the strike zone, attacking hitters with a mix of fastball, split-change and slider that kept Detroit off balance. The offense paired a steady approach with a couple of chunk hits to build a lead Seattle would hold.

Middle innings — Gilbert silences the lineup

Gilbert was the story on the mound: six innings, four hits, seven strikeouts and no walks. He didn’t overpower everyone but pitched with command and an aggressive mindset — working ahead in counts and letting his breaking stuff do the work. Detroit’s best answers were limited to a run off a small rally; Gilbert stranded runners and bore through pressure innings while the bullpen kept the door closed.

Late innings — homers and a ninth-inning exclamation point

Seattle’s offense added punch: solo shots by Eugenio Suárez and J.P. Crawford, and then a late insurance two-run homer by Cal Raleigh in the ninth that effectively closed the Tigers’ window. Detroit mounted a mini-rally in the ninth — Spencer Torkelson and Andy Ibáñez sparked hope — but All-Star reliever Andrés Muñoz worked a double-play and slammed the door. Seattle left Detroit reeling and one loss from elimination.

Player spotlights — who rose and who fell

Logan Gilbert — 6 IP, 7 K, 1 ER (the vintage outing)

Gilbert’s outing was everything Seattle needed. In high-leverage postseason innings the margin for error shrinks; Gilbert minimized mistakes, didn’t issue a free pass, and missed bats when the Tigers looked to make something happen. Dan Wilson’s postgame praise called it “vintage Logan,” and the stat line backed it up: efficient, ruthless and a real momentum grab for Seattle’s staff.

Cal Raleigh — late-game hero

Raleigh’s two-run ninth capped the scoring and was a reminder of how dangerous his big-power bat remains — especially after he mashed 60 home runs during the regular season. That clutch muscle helped Seattle add insurance when it mattered.

J.P. Crawford & Eugenio Suárez — timely long balls

Crawford and Suárez each launched homers that kept pressure on Detroit’s pitching staff. Crawford’s lineup production and Suárez’s pop were both textbook examples of situational hitting in October.

Jack Flaherty & Tigers rotation — early struggles

Detroit’s starter, Jack Flaherty, didn’t have his best night — four runs in just over three innings — and that put the Tigers on their heels. Flaherty had trouble locating and Seattle made him pay for the mistakes. Detroit’s bullpen would battle late but could not erase the multi-run deficit.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

Advanced look — stats, win probability and game flow

• Win probability swing: Seattle’s big third inning and Gilbert’s control moved the game win probability strongly in Seattle’s favor early; the homers added late-game cushion. (See MLB Gameday and ESPN win probability charts for the play-by-play curve.)
• Pitching metrics: Gilbert’s ability to go six shutout-minus-one innings with seven Ks and zero walks translated to a low WHIP and strong FIP for the outing — an ideal postseason line for a starter asked to set the tone. MLB’s gamebook shows his strike-percentage dominance and swinging-strike rates.

THE @MARINERS ARE ONE WIN AWAY FROM THE #ALCS! pic.twitter.com/axW7MBFEnJ

— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2025

Tactical analysis — what Seattle did right (and where Detroit must improve)

Seattle’s formula for this win

1. Starter to set the tone: Gilbert gave them length and efficiency — less strain on the bullpen and more offensive opportunities.
2. Explosive offense: The homers weren’t just noise — they came in chunks that forced Detroit to replace their starter early and expand the bullpen. Seattle balanced contact, patience and power.
3. Bullpen execution: Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz closed with clean innings, including a double-play ball to get out of the ninth. Late-inning execution is playoff gold.

Tigers’ failures & adjustments needed

• Starting pitching inconsistency: Flaherty’s early exit put Detroit on defense; the Tigers must find ways to stabilize early innings in the do-or-die Game 4.
• Defensive lapses: Detroit’s defensive mistakes — and a few mental errors — led to unearned or extra-costly runs in the third. Clean play becomes critical in elimination games.
• Avoiding the long ball: With Raleigh and crew mashing, limiting free throws over the fence will be essential; Casey Mize (if he starts Game 4) must throw strikes and generate soft contact.

Series outlook — what happens next?

• Seattle leads 2–1 and can clinch the series with a road win in Game 4. Winning on the road in Detroit would be huge — the Mariners have the pitching matchups to make it happen (Bryce Miller projected next).
• Detroit faces elimination. Casey Mize is projected to take the hill for the Tigers, and Detroit will need a strong bounceback from starters and cleaner defense to stay alive. The home crowd will be loud, but Seattle already showed it can win in hostile territory.