Something has to give in Game 5 of the American League Division Series, and not just in the obvious way. The Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers can't both advance to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the Championship Series. Only Thunderdome rules apply: two teams enter, one leaves.
Yet inasmuch as there is such a thing as an ordinary do-or-die game in the MLB playoffs, this one isn't that. The Mariners are trying to do something that has never been done against the Tigers, and the Tigers are trying to do the same against the Mariners.
The Mariners face long odds against Tarik Skubal
Starting with the Mariners, they have already beaten the odds by winning all three games in which they have squared off against Tarik Skubal this year.