The Detroit Tigers are one of the top teams this season and head into Tuesdayâs games with an overall record of 58-34, the leagueâs top record. Their batting has been strong this season, but their pitching has been remarkable thanks to the talent and depth. Two-time All-Star pitcher Tarik Skubal was one of the leagueâs top pitchers entering the season, and he continues to get even better.Â
Skubalâs production this season has been stellar as he has been one of the most consistent pitchers. He was just named to his second All-Star game this season, and he could earn an even bigger accomplishment again at the end of the season. Bleacher Reportâs Tim Kelly released an article on Friday listing seven big predictions. Among them was predicting that Skubal would win his second AL Cy Young Award.
He won last seasonâs AL Cy Young Award after posting numbers that are among not only the best of his young career but also in the entire league. Skubal played and started in 31 games in 2024. He accounted for a league-high ERA of 2.39 and a league-high 228 strikeouts. He allowed 142 hits, only 54 runs, with 15 of them being home runs and 35 walks.
Skubal Is Having a Better Season Than 2024
Skubal found a way to pitch better this season in 18 games played. His 2.02 ERA is the third-best in the league. He is only behind Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (1.82) and Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes (1.94). Skubal is also tied for second in the league in strikeouts accounted for at 148, only behind the Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet, who has played one more game. He has only allowed 80 hits, 26 runs, with eight of them being home runs and 14 walks.
Skubal hasnât been perfect in the numerous games played this season. There have been several times when opponents have scored while he was on the mound. A good portion of those runs allowed could be blamed on the Detroit Tigersâ defense overall. He has played in eight games where he or his fellow Tigers on the field havenât allowed a run.Â
Skubal is coming off a stellar month of June, where he allowed 24 hits, seven runs, with only one of them being home runs, and seven walks while accounting for 39 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.89 in five games. He follows that month up by allowing only three hits, no runs, and no walks while delivering 10 strikeouts in Sundayâs 7-2 road win over the Cleveland Guardians.Â
Skubal Has Competition for the AL Cy Young Award
There is going to be a great slate of pitchers that will be aiming for the AL Cy Young Award, including Brown. Crochet, Kansas City Royalsâ Kris Bubic, Texas Rangersâ Jacob deGrom, and New York Yankees’ Max Fried are all also solid candidates to win the award. It is hard for a pitcher to win the AL or NL Cy Young Award in two consecutive years. Skubal, however, has a great resume to get him on that short list. He is among the most consistent and efficient pitchers and is a key leader of the Detroit Tigers.Â
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