BREAKING – Tarik Skubal Raises the Bar in Bid for Back-to-Back Cy Young Awards
DETROIT — Tarik Skubal is making dominance look routine. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner continues to dazzle in 2024, delivering start after start that cements his status as one of baseball’s premier pitchers and putting him on a path toward a second consecutive Cy Young.
On Tuesday night at Comerica Park, Skubal fired seven shutout innings against the Minnesota Twins, striking out 11 and allowing just three hits in a 5–0 Tigers win. It was the latest in a string of overpowering outings that have pushed his ERA down to a league-leading 2.24 while his strikeout-to-walk ratio hovers near an elite 6-to-1.
“I feel like I’m in a good place,” Skubal said after the game. “It’s about attacking hitters, trusting my stuff, and giving my team a chance to win every time out.”
That formula has worked to near perfection. Skubal’s fastball routinely touches 98 mph, and his devastating changeup has become one of the most unhittable pitches in baseball. Hitters are batting under .200 against him, and his 198 strikeouts rank among the AL leaders.
“He’s relentless,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “Every start he gives us a chance to win, and he does it with an edge. The work he puts in between outings is what sets him apart.”
Skubal’s rise is a testament to resilience. Undrafted out of high school and a ninth-round pick in 2018 after Tommy John surgery, he developed into the Tigers’ ace through steady improvement and fierce determination. Last season, he delivered 18 wins and a 2.48 ERA to claim his first Cy Young Award, the franchise’s first since Justin Verlander in 2011.
Rather than resting on accolades, Skubal entered 2024 even sharper. His command has tightened, his slider has added bite, and his poise in high-leverage situations has elevated Detroit’s entire staff.
“Watching him work is inspiring,” said Tigers reliever Alex Lange. “He’s the guy we look to every fifth day to set the tone. He makes everyone around him better.”
Skubal’s dominance has fueled Detroit’s push toward the postseason. The Tigers lead the American League Central and are closing in on their first division title in more than a decade. With every gem, Skubal gives the Tigers a true ace capable of matching up with any opponent come October.
“He’s the kind of pitcher who changes a playoff series,” Hinch said. “When he’s on the mound, you feel like you’re already halfway to a win.”
For Skubal, the focus remains on the team, not individual hardware. “The Cy Young is great, but winning in October is what matters,” he said. “If I stay healthy and keep executing, the rest will take care of itself.”
Still, the numbers are impossible to ignore. FanGraphs currently projects Skubal as the clear Cy Young favorite, and analysts across baseball are running out of superlatives to describe his season.
As Detroit eyes a deep playoff run, Skubal’s brilliance provides both confidence and excitement. A second straight Cy Young would be historic for the franchise, but for now, he’s simply the pitcher no team wants to face.
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