DETROIT -- Following the Mariners’ 9-3 loss to the Tigers in Game 4 of the AL Division Series on Wednesday, manager Dan Wilson was not ready to announce who would take the ball for Seattle in Friday’s decisive Game 5 at T-Mobile Park.

It all but assuredly will be one of George Kirby or Luis Castillo , the two right-handers who opened this series for the Mariners and started Games 1 and 2 in Seattle last Saturday and Sunday. Both would be on normal rest on Friday.

But whether it’s Kirby or Castillo, one thing is certain: The Mariners’ starting pitcher will be their biggest X-factor as the club looks to punch its first ticket to the AL Championship Series since 2001 .

The Mariners’ starting rotation has dominated at home all season. They will need it to step up again, as Seattle

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