Tarik

Skubal

Skubal celebrates his 28th birthday with his first career Cy Young Award, receiving all 30 first place votes in balloting, following a transcendent 2024 campaign where he helped lead Detroit back to the postseason with an American League-leading 2.39 ERA (2.39) and 228 strikeouts across 192 innings (31 starts). He’ll be the first starting pitcher off the board next spring in all fantasy drafts. Royals veteran Seth Lugo finished second and Guardians stopper Emmanuel Clase came in third.

Clase and Lugo are deserving finalists, but Skubal is a near-lock to take home his first Cy Young Award after a dominant 2024 campaign where he led the American League in ERA (2.39) and strikeouts (228) over 192 innings (31 starts). The 27-year-old southpaw figures to be the first starting pitcher off the board next spring in all fantasy drafts. Clase melted down in the postseason, but was other-worldly during the regular season, converting a career-high 47 saves to go with a sparkling 0.61 ERA across 74 1/3 innings (74 appearances). He’s the first reliever since Francisco Rodríguez back in 2008 to be named a Cy Young Award finalist. Lugo was an unexpected revelation in his Kansas City debut, finishing with a solid 3.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 181/48 K/BB ratio across 206 2/3 innings (33 starts).

Skubal was able to work out of a few jams, but in the fifth inning he plunked Jose Ramirez with the bases loaded, and then gave up a grand slam on a pitch down the middle of the plate to Lane Thomas. That was the first grand slam allowed of his career. Not a great time for it. It’s a disappointing end to what was a fantastic season for Skubal; one that will assuredly see him take home a Cy Young in November. He should be one of the first pitchers off the board in 2025 drafts.

No surprise here. Skubal is the Tigers’ ace and will receive the American League Cy Young award this offseason. He threw seven shutout innings and got a no-decision in Detroit’s dramatic victory in Game 2. Skubal will be on four days’ rest for the decisive Game 5.

That’s 13 scoreless innings in the postseason. Aided by a pair of double plays, Skubal faced just two batters over the minimum. It had to be difficult for the Tigers to pull him after 92 pitches, but that’s usually right around where he ends up and they might need him to pitch on four days’ rest in Game 5.

Skubal will be on four days’ rest Sunday. The Tigers will be well rested for the Guardians after using Brant Hurter for just 29 pitches on Wednesday and not needing to turn to Reese Olson at any point.

Skubal started Game 1 of the Wild Card round against the Astros on Tuesday, which means he would be on normal rest for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Guardians. Woodbery also notes that Skubal could return for Game 5 if it were to become necessary. While the Tigers have yet to announce an official plan, getting the chance to start the likely AL Cy Young winner twice gives them a major leg up in a test against the Guardians.

Skubal was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Astros, but he left after six innings. He was visited on the mound by trainers and Hinch in the sixth inning, but stayed in to complete the inning. Skubal should be ready to make another start if the Tigers advance.

Skubal got two visits from the trainer in this one. The first was because he took a liner off his glove hand, something that also happened a couple of weeks ago. The second came in the sixth, but he was able to continue with what appeared to be left leg issue. He exited after that inning, having thrown 88 pitches. He struck out six and walked one in earning the win in his first career postseason outing.

Hinch was specifically asked if the Tigers would start Skubal if they had clinched a playoff spot but were still playing for seeding. His response is that it was unlikely Skubal would pitch unless the Tigers needed a win to make the playoffs. With a playoff spot all but clinched for Detroit, they are likely to save their ace for the first game of the playoffs so fantasy managers with Skubal should prepare to find an alternative starter.