History and a hidden strength have Mariners fans feeling good about ALDS Game 3

The Seattle Mariners splitting the first two games with the Detroit Tigers was predicted by quite a few people. Although it didn't pan out as the majority of those same folks probably thought it would, with the M's win coming in the game which the not-of-this-world pitching ace Tarik Skubal started.

Irrespective, the Mariners headed to Detroit with plenty of fans nervous about the prospect of two games at Comerica Park. The M's were poor on their travels this season and in fact were the only AL playoff team with a losing record on the road in 2025, at 39-42.

Despite this, there are actually a couple of reasons to be encouraged about what lies ahead for the Mariners in Detroit, beginning with what happened last time they visited Motown. Pure and simple, the M's owned the Tigers in a three-game series which took place just before the All-Star break.

Mariners almost inconceivably swept the Tigers in dominating fashion

The Mariners seemed demoralized entering the series, having come off a three-game sweep by the New York Yankees and sitting at 48-45. Meanwhile, the Tigers were riding high with a 59-35 record which topped the majors as a whole.

What transpired was a barely believable sweep by the Mariners, highlighted by just how dominating they were over the course of the three games. The M's torched the Tigers for 35 runs and won the series by a combined 21, in some ways beginning a tailspin which almost cost A. J. Hinch's team a place in the playoffs.

The second reason that Mariners fans should be encouraged is, despite the team's subpar record on the road this year, because they have hit very well on their travels. Only the Yankees had a higher road slugging percentage, wOBA and wRC+ in 2025, with the Mariners ranking second in the majors at .444, .336 and 116 respectively.

The Mariners also tied with the Yankees for the most home runs on the road at 134, while ranking third for runs scored with 414. As such, you can contend the M's must take advantage of not having to face Skubal in the next two games and attempt to get both of the remaining required two wins in Detroit and avoid the stress of a winner-takes-all fifth game back in Seattle.

Jack Flaherty is just what the Doctor ordered

Helping make this dream scenario more feasible is that the Mariners will be first up against Jack Flaherty in Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon in Detroit. The 2014 first-round draft pick just hasn't really been that good this year, with a 0.9 WAR, 4.64 ERA and AL-worst 15 losses in 31 starts.

Flahery's one outing against the Mariners specifically this year came in the finale of the aforementioned series in Detroit. He went 5.0 innings and allowed four hits, two walks and two earned runs over 93 pitches, in a game which the Tigers went on to lose 8-4.

Individually speaking for the Mariners, Flaherty could also be just what Eugenio Suárez needs to get himself going. He's struggled overall since returning to Seattle as highlighted by a .682 OPS in 53 games for the M's, but has a career .985 OPS in 29 plate appearances versus the Tigers' righty.

As per Baseball Savant, the Mariners so far have 19 hard-hit balls in the first two games of this AL Division Series compared to 14 by the Tigers. Overall, despite some initial understandable trepidation from M's fans about playing the next two games on the road, this is an opponent they should actually feel at least some confidence about facing away from the friendly confines of T-Mobile Park.