Tigers Left-Hander Makes History Through His First Six Starts

The Detroit Tigers have themselves an ace in the making. Tarik Skubal has only allowed 30 hits and eight walks in his last 10 starts while striking out 77 batters. The only other pitchers in MLB history to hit or better those marks during any 10-game span: Chris Sale, Corbin Burnes and Jacob deGrom. With a 4-0 record, 1.72 ERA, 41 strikeouts and six walks over 36 2/3 innings, Skubal made history for himself.

Tarik Skubal Continues Excellence on the Mound

The left-hander is the first pitcher in Tigers history with 40+ strikeouts and less than nine walks through his first six starts. Kansas City Royals manager, Matt Quatraro, praised Skubal after he struck out six over seven innings in Sunday’s game.

“He’s one the best pitchers in the league,” Quatraro said. “Upper 90s [velocity], location, plus changeup, curveball, you name it. He’s going to be a challenge for everybody.”

Funny enough, it’s the Royals who are making life difficult for Skubal. He came into Sunday’s start with a 1-7 record and a 5.09 ERA in 11 meetings against the Royals. Skubal hasn’t beaten Kansas City since 2021. It was the resulting performance that flipped the switch for Skubal’s history against the Tigers division rivals. The seven innings of work was the deepest Skubal has pitched into a game against Kansas City. He beat them for the first time in six meetings at Comerica Park.

Why Skubal Is Having a Stellar Season