DETROIT, MI: The Tigers find themselves in the postseason. As they gear up for the Wild Card Series, they likely wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for their ace, Tarik Skubal.
As one of the best starters in the Majors and the clear favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award this season, Tarik Skubal has solidified his position. His all-around brilliance this season cemented his place in baseball history.
Skubal led the AL in wins, ERA, and strikeouts to secure the Triple Crown of pitching. With 18 victories, 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts, Skubal topped all AL pitchers and became the first pitcher to win the Triple Crown since Shane Bieber during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. After Justin Verlander (AL) and Clayton Kershaw (NL) won the Triple Crown in the same season in 2011, Skubal is the only pitcher to do so.
Since earned runs were made official in both leagues in 1913, Skubal became the 21st pitcher (30th instance) to win the pitching Triple Crown. Along with winning the Triple Crown, the left-hander for the Tigers joined Verlander (2011) and Hal Newhouser (1945) as the only other pitchers in franchise history.
Along with Verlander (2007, 2009–11) and Max Scherzer (2013–14), Skubal is one of the only pitchers from Detroit to win 18 or more games in a season since 2000. With a minimum of 150 innings pitched, Skubal's 2.39 ERA was the lowest by a Tigers starter since Mark Fidrych's 2.34 in 1976 (Verlander had a 2.40 ERA in 2011).
Skubal, who returned from surgery on his left flexor tendon on July 4, 2023, has come a long way and has proven to be a genuine ace. Since then, Skubal has led all qualifying starting pitchers in strikeouts (330), FIP (2.35), ERA (2.51), and fWAR (9.1).
It's conceivable that Skubal won't be the only pitcher to take home the Triple Crown this year. Chris Sale of Atlanta is expected to follow him since he leads the National League in all three categories. However, his 2.38 ERA is still subject to change since he may pitch in Monday's possible doubleheader between the Mets and Braves, contingent on the results of Sunday's games. With a 2.57 ERA, Zack Wheeler is ranked second in the NL.
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