It took Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal 5 seasons to completely determine issues out on the mound however man, did he ever determine issues out in 2024. Skubal anchored the rotation for a Tigers group that surprisingly made the playoffs for the primary time in 10 years. Detroit completed the season with its first successful report since 2016. Skubal racked up an MLB-best 18 wins in 2024 en path to successful the Cy Younger Award.
Skubal’s exceptional yr didn’t precisely come out of nowhere. Issues started to click on for the massive lefty in 2023 after he returned from flexor tendon surgical procedure. He drew the Opening Day begin for the Tigers in 2024 and, predictably, Skubal might be on the bump to start Detroit’s 2025 marketing campaign towards the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“You get to face the reigning champs on Day 1. You see how their offseason was and also you see that lineup, it’ll be enjoyable. Of their dwelling park, too… I’m trying ahead to the problem,” Skubal mentioned per The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen.
“You don’t know what number of Opening Days you’re gonna begin in your profession. It’s an honor to begin two of them,” he added.
Tarik Skubal is prepared for an additional particular season with the Tigers
Associated Detroit Tigers InformationArticle continues under
The Dodgers received the World Collection in 2024 and have solely improved since then, occurring a wild spending spree this offseason. But when there’s a pitcher ready to deal with the tremendous lineup in LA, it’s Skubal. Along with Cy Younger honors, the Tigers’ hurler received the pitching triple crown in 2024, main the American League in ERA (2.39), strikeouts (228) and wins (18). He truly led the majors in strikeouts and wins, placing collectively an completely dominant season.
The Tigers rewarded Skubal for his exceptional yr, avoiding arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10.15 million deal. Skubal nonetheless has two years remaining beneath group management earlier than hitting free company in 2027 – assuming the Tigers don’t signal him to a long run extension earlier than then.
Skubal is taken into account the perfect beginning pitcher in baseball in accordance with an MLB Community fan ballot. And whereas the strain is on for him to repeat his dominant 2024 marketing campaign and lead Detroit again to the postseason, he’ll have some assist. The Tigers improved the rotation by bringing again Jack Flaherty this offseason. The group traded Flaherty to the Dodgers on the deadline final yr when it appeared as if the group had no hope of creating a playoff run.