For four and a half innings in Detroit, this looked like the kind of businesslike clincher that lets a fan base start scoreboard-watching. Mariners fans were already preparing to take in a glance at Yankees–Blue Jays, trying on “future ALCS opponent” takes, and imagining a tidy handshake line before sunset. Seattle had quieted Comerica Park to a low grumble, stacked quality at-bats, and moved with the calm of a team that’s been here before. You could feel the collective exhale coming.
Front and center was trade deadline acquisition Josh Naylor, who hadn’t recorded a hit all postseason and then chose the biggest stage to wake up.