Detroit native's eye-opening start vs. Tarik Skubal should have Tigers thinking ahead

Astros All-Star and Detroit native Hunter Brown has historically done some of his best work against the Tigers. He has six starts and a 2.44 ERA against them over three seasons, versus a career 3.55 ERA.

Last year, a scoreless seven innings against the Tigers in June was the key to keeping him in the majors (he had a 5.58 ERA going into that appearance) and marked a major turning point for his season. In October, he pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball against Detroit in the AL Wild Card.

On Tuesday, Brown — who grew up rooting for the Tigers — matched up against Detroit ace Tarik Skubal for a pitching duel at its finest. Through the sixth inning, neither had given up a single run to their opponent. Skubal outlasted Brown by an inning, walked one fewer batter, and struck four more in a game that eventually ended with a walk-off walk for Gleyber Torres against reliever Kaleb Ort, but Brown had the Tigers on the ropes.

Maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves, as Brown won't be a free agent until the end of the 2028 season, but this might be a guy the Tigers' front office wants to keep their eye on.

Tigers could be thinking long-term about signing Detroit native Hunter Brown after Tuesday's showcase at Comerica

By the end of 2028, Skubal will (by nearly unanimous prediction) have moved on to a new team years before. Jack Flaherty will be gone, Casey Mize will probably be gone, and any number of the pitchers on one-year deals right now will be long gone. That would leave Reese Olson, Troy Melton, Jackson Jobe, and maybe Sawyer Gipson-Long, provided Detroit opts to keep instead of trade them (and provided that they actually work out).

Brown has been mercurial in his first few years in the majors, but this year he earned his first All-Star nod and could even be in the distant discussion about the AL Cy Young. With his track record against the Tigers, that might be a guy who they want pitching for them instead of against them. And he's a hometown hero, which fans always love to see.

Again, it's a ways out and a lot could change. The Astros could approach Brown about an extension or the Tigers could fill up their rotation going into 2029. His performance could dip again or the Tigers may hesitate to spend on him. But if the stars align, he'd receive a more than welcome homecoming in Detroit.