For the first time in 16 days, the Detroit Tigers will play a home game Tuesday afternoon when they host the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of their American League Division Series.
The Tigers finished the regular season on the road with series against the Guardians and Red Sox before returning to Cleveland for the wild-card round and playing the first two games of the ALDS in Seattle. And my how things have changed over those 16 days.
When they last took the field at Comerica Park, the Tigers were hearing the boos during what would be an eight-game losing streak that cost them the Central division title. Now, they’re looking to take care of business at home and reach the AL Championship Series.
But first things first. The ALDS is tied after the Tigers took one of two in Seattle. They’ll have veteran Jack Flaherty (8-15, 4.64 ERA in regular season) on the mound against fellow right-hander Logan Gilbert (6-6, 3.44) of the Mariners.
However, one thing could derail the homecoming excitement in Detroit. A band of thunderstorms is expected to move through the area this afternoon, putting the possibility of a delay or postponement in play.
Where to watch Tigers vs. Mariners Game 3
Game 3 of the American League Division Series is being televised on FS1. Adam Amin will handle play-by-play duties with A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Wainwright as analysts and Tom Verducci reporting from the field.
TV: Fox Sports 1
Streaming: Fox Sports app, Fubo (free trial)
Watch Mariners vs Tigers on Fubo
What time is Tigers vs Mariners game today?
The first game of the American League Division Series doubleheader is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET from Detroit.
First pitch coming soon! FINALLY!
At long last, the prophecy has been fulfilled! We will have baseball in Detroit today.
MLB announced that first pitch is now expected to come at 7 p.m. ET.
The game will air on FS1 until the start of Blue Jays-Yankees at 8 p.m. ET. From that point on, the game will air on FS2. It can also be viewed on MLB Network and the FOX One App.
Fans glad about the rain delay?
Although this game has been delayed several hours at this point, many fans have expressed excitement regarding the delay.
The game was originally scheduled to start at 4:08 p.m. ET/1:08 p.m. PT. That was at least an hour before most fans get off work, meaning they would have had to miss part of the game. West coast fans would’ve run the risk of missing the whole game.
However, the delay has not only given fans a better opportunity to watch their favorite games, but has in turn showcased the absurdity of MLB scheduling games when several fans would be unable to attend or watch.
Game could swap to FS2 if rain delay keeps going
The rain delay in Detroit has gone on much longer than anticipated, and it could even start cutting into air time for Game 3 of the series between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees (Blue Jays lead 2-0).
Should that happen, Game 3 of the Mariners and Tigers will shift to FS2, allowing Toronto vs. New York to play out on FS1.
Game 3 still in rain delay
Although Game 3 was supposed to start at 4:08 p.m. ET, it appears that time will not happen. The tarp is still on the field and the rain is still coming down hard.
Per the National Weather Service, the forecast predicts that rains in Detroit will continue through 5 p.m. local time.
Game 3 pitching matchup
In a best-of-5 series, Game 3 tends to be the most pivotal of them all.
Here are the starting pitchers for today’s game:
Tigers: RHP Jack Flaherty (8-15, 4.64 ERA)
Mariners: RHP Logan Gilbert (6-6, 3.44 ERA)
Gilbert pitched against the Tigers twice this year. He did not record a win or loss in either game. That said, the Mariners went 1-1 in those games with the Mariners scoring nine total runs, and the Tigers scoring eight. Gilbert allowed five runs (three earned) across 10.1 innings pitched in those two games.
Flaherty, meanwhile, pitched just one game against Seattle all year, an 8-4 loss. Flaherty surrendered two earned runs in five innings in that matchup.
Mariners lineup today vs Tigers
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Julio Rodríguez (R) CF
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Eugenio Suárez (R) 3B
Dominic Canzone (L) DH
Victor Robles (R) RF
J.P. Crawford (L) SS
Tigers lineup for ALDS Game 3
Kerry Carpenter (L) RF
Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
Colt Keith (L) DH
Riley Greene (L) LF
Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B
Zach McKinstry (L) 3B
Dillon Dingler (R) C
Parker Meadows (L) CF
Javier Báez (R) SS
Detroit weather updates
Tigers vs Mariners schedule for ALDS
Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 – Tigers 3, Mariners 2 (11 innings)
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5 – Mariners 3, Tigers 2
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Mariners at Tigers, 4:08 p.m. ET
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 8 – Mariners at Tigers, Time TBA
Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10 (if necessary) – Tigers at Mariners, Time TBA