Mariners' George Kirby set to face Tigers’ Troy Melton in AL Division Series opener

In the postseason for the second time since 2001, the Seattle Mariners are turning to a starting pitcher with a little playoff experience for Saturday's AL Division Series opener against the Detroit Tigers. George Kirby, who started the 18-inning, 1-0 loss to Houston that ended the Mariners' last playoff appearance in 2022, will be on the mound opposed by Troy Melton, a 24-year-old right-hander with 16 games of major league experience. “George has the ability to kind of slow things down in some ways,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson, who picked Kirby over Luis Castillo, said Friday.