At 32-33, the Detroit Tigers are fourth in the American League Central, 10.5 games behind division leaders Cleveland Guardians. However, they are still in the thick of the Wild Card race, as they are two games behind the sixth-seed Minnesota Twins.
If they are to make their first postseason appearance since 2014, starting pitcher Tarik Skubal must remain spectacular, like how he dominated the Milwaukee Brewers on June 9. In 6.2 innings, Skubal surrendered five hits, two walks, and a run. More importantly, he struck out ten batters in Detroit's 10-2 win over Milwaukee.
The victory improved his record to 8-1. He has also registered five strikeouts in each of his 13 starts in the 2024 Major League Baseball season. After having six strikeouts in their season opener against the Chicago White Sox, he struck out 35 batters in April and 39 in May.
Skub has recorded at least 5 strikeouts in each of his 13 starts this season. pic.twitter.com/wYUK79b3Fy
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 9, 2024
Meanwhile, his ten strikeouts against the Brewers is his second double-digit strikeout game this season. His first came on May 5 when he struck out 12 New York Yankees batters.
Skubal has 96 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched. He also has a 1.92 earned run average and a 0.89 WHIP in 13 games. The Tigers' ninth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft may have his next start on June 15 when they face the Houston Astros.
-Lance Fernandez