‘I couldn’t sleep’: Rick Rizzs is sleepless in Seattle ahead of Mariners pivotal Game 5

The Seattle Mariners are preparing to play the final game of the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) tonight at 5:08 p.m. against the Detroit Tigers.

Mariners veteran broadcaster Rick Rizzs joined “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio ahead of the game to detail the gravity of tonight’s matchup, facing the reigning AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, for the second time this series and fourth time this season.

“The Mariners knew there was a possibility of facing Tarik Skubal twice, which they’re going to do, and they beat him in the second game of the series,” Rizzs said. “They also defeated Skubal twice earlier this season. They’ve done it three times, and the challenge now is to do it one more time. This team is ready.”

Seattle Mariners elimination game v. Detroit

Rizzs encapsulated his excitement for the Mariners’ big-time players making big-time plays in its most pivotal game of the season thus far, a win-or-go-home Game 5.

“I’m feeling excited. I got up at five o’clock this morning. I couldn’t sleep; it’s the biggest game of the year,” Rizzs said. “I think George Kirby is going to pitch the game of his life. Big guys step up for the big moment. I look for Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and the guys to play a great game today and get everybody to the American League Championship Series.”

As the Mariners look to push past the ALDS and face the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), Rizzs summarized the All-Star pitching matchup slated to go toe-to-toe in tonight’s highly anticipated game.

“The Tigers know what George Kirby is going to feature, and the Mariners know what Skubal is going to do. He’s going to throw his fastball about 98-100 mph, and he’s going to have the great change-up, and that’s not going to change,” Rizzs said. “When you’re the best pitcher in the American League, you’re not going to make any adjustments.

“It is an advantage to both sides, the Tigers know Kirby very well, and now the Mariners are getting very acquainted with Tarik Skubal, a young man who started at Seattle University some years ago,” Rizzs continued.

The last time the Mariners played in the ALCS was in 2001, following a historic 116-win season. The franchise last appeared in the ALDS in 2022, falling to the Houston Astros in three games. Seattle is among a short list of teams that haven’t won the World Series, and is the only team in the league that has yet to appear in the World Series.

“You play your heart out for 162 games just to get to the postseason for the chance to move on. This team has played so hard to get to this point. This game means everything,” Rizzs said. “This is what you play for, this is why you put on the uniform. You want to get to the World Series, and I think this team is pumped up and definitely ready to go. I know the fans are too.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.