BREAKING: Tarik Skubal’s Unstoppable Rise — Tigers Ace on the Verge of Making AL Cy Young History With Back-to-Back Triumphs
Detroit hasn’t had many seasons like this in recent memory — but then again, pitchers like Tarik Skubal don’t come around often.
At just 28 years old, the left-hander has taken the mound in 2025 with the same calm intensity that defined his breakout campaign a year ago. Now, as the season winds down, Skubal stands on the brink of doing what only a handful of pitchers in baseball history have done: win back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards.
It’s a storyline that even the most optimistic Tigers fan might have found hard to believe not long ago. For years, Detroit’s rotation was a carousel of question marks. Injuries, inconsistency, and rebuild fatigue clouded the organization’s vision. But Skubal — drafted in the ninth round out of Seattle University in 2018 — changed everything.
“He’s not just an ace,” manager A.J. Hinch said after Skubal’s latest dominant outing. “He’s the heartbeat of this team. Every time he steps on that mound, we feel like we can beat anybody.”
Skubal’s numbers in 2025 read like a blueprint for dominance: a sub-2.70 ERA, more than 200 strikeouts, and a WHIP hovering around 1.00. But the stats only tell part of the story. His command, composure, and evolving leadership have redefined what it means to be the face of a franchise still finding its way back to contention.
Last season, Skubal’s Cy Young win marked a turning point for the Tigers — their first since Justin Verlander in 2011. This season, his encore performance feels even more powerful, because it’s happening under higher pressure and greater scrutiny.
“Last year, I wanted to prove I belonged,” Skubal told The Athletic. “This year, I just want to win. Awards are great, but this team deserves October baseball again.”
That mindset has turned him from a young talent into a leader. Teammates describe his presence as “grounding,” a calm in the storm. His offseason work with Detroit’s analytics department has elevated his game — fine-tuning his pitch mix, increasing his changeup usage, and turning his fastball into one of the most effective weapons in the league.
Beyond numbers, Skubal’s story resonates because of what it represents for Detroit. A city known for resilience, grit, and revival now has a player who embodies those same traits. Comerica Park, once half-empty during rebuilding years, has become a place of belief again — where fans bring signs reading “Skubal Season Never Ends.”
In a year where names like Gerrit Cole, Framber Valdez, and Kevin Gausman have all made their cases, Skubal’s consistency might be what seals the deal. According to multiple analysts, his blend of dominance and durability makes him the favorite heading into the final voting stretch.
If he wins again, he’ll join an elite club of repeat Cy Young recipients — Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Pedro Martinez among them.
But for Skubal, the legacy isn’t about awards. It’s about what they symbolize. “When you go through injuries, when people doubt you, and you come out stronger — that’s what I’ll remember,” he said.
Detroit’s ace isn’t chasing perfection anymore. He’s chasing history — and he’s doing it with a city behind him that believes again.
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