Seattle Mariners sign relaying : The Detroit Tigers advanced to the 2025 American League Championship Series with a 3-2 extra-innings win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the ALDS, remaining unfazed by first baseman Josh Naylor’s controversial on-base behavior. Despite Naylor’s overt hand signals and baserunning theatrics—widely interpreted as attempts to relay pitch signs—the Tigers maintained composure, crediting their mental discipline for overcoming the distractions and securing a historic playoff victory.
Naylor’s Controversial Tactics Under Scrutiny
During Game 4 and Game 5, Josh Naylor drew attention for his animated actions on the basepaths, particularly after reaching second base. Videos and live reports showed him making deliberate hand motions, including flicking his wrist and forming a T-pose, sparking speculation about sign-stealing. The behavior targeted Tigers pitchers like Casey Mize, seemingly aiming to disrupt their focus. However, Detroit’s coaching staff dismissed the tactics as gamesmanship rather than a genuine threat. Manager A.J. Hinch stated, “We don’t pay a ton of attention to it… it’s a distraction either way”.
Catcher Dillon Dingler echoed the sentiment, noting that the team saw no evidence of successful sign relays: “They’re doing the same thing over and over and they’re not making adjustments, so obviously they don’t have anything”.
Tigers’ Mental Toughness Proves Decisive
While Naylor went 0-for-13 in the series and failed to deliver offensively, his actions tested the Tigers’ psychological resilience. Detroit, however, responded with clutch performances: Tarik Skubal struck out 11 over seven innings in Game 5, and Kerry Carpenter’s two-run homer in the 11th inning sealed the series. The team’s ability to ignore provocations highlighted their growth since last year’s playoff exit and underscored their championship-caliber focus.
A Statement Win for Detroit
By advancing past the Mariners, the Tigers sent a clear message: they cannot be rattled. Their disciplined approach, both on the mound and at the plate, contrasted sharply with Seattle’s reliance on psychological tactics. As one player noted, “We’ve been through too much to let one guy’s showboating throw us off”.
With the win, Detroit moves on to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS, where composure will again be key. But if Game 5 is any indication, the Tigers are ready for any challenge—on the field or off.
