Tarik Skubal further cements his place in Tigers history with obscure accomplishment

On Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park, Tarik Skubal did something that only two other starting pitchers in Detroit Tigers history have done.

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner left his start against the Baltimore Orioles after six innings, having allowed four hits, no runs and no walks. He also struck out 11 and dropped his ERA to 2.34. In doing so, Skubal became the third pitcher in Tigers history to record an outing with zero runs allowed, zero walks and 11 or more strikeouts.

The other two? Max Scherzer in 2012 and Aníbal Sánchez in 2014. When it comes to Tigers pitching, that air is about as rarified as it gets.

Tarik Skubal further cements his place in Tigers history with latest start

It's beginning to feel like every time Skubal takes the mound, he's breaking a franchise record or accomplishing some other kind of feat that adds to his résumé as one of the best pitchers in Tigers history.

Two weeks ago against the Milwaukee Brewers, for example, Skubal gave up four hits without allowing a run or a walk through seven innings of work. He also struck out nine batters as he secured his second consecutive win. In doing so, he became the first Tigers pitcher since 2000 to pitch seven or more innings in a single outing and give up no walks, strike out nine or more batters, and throw no more than 91 pitches. Obscure as it is, that's still noteworthy.

Skubal's accomplishments, while impressive, should no longer be surprising for Tigers fans. The southpaw finished the 2024 campaign with an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts to win the American League pitching triple crown.

Skubal became the fifth pitcher in Tigers history to win the Cy Young Award last season, joining Scherzer (2013), Justin Verlander (2011), Willie Hernández (1984) and Denny McLain (1968-69). If he continues to frustrate opposing hitters the way he has so far this season, he could be well on his way to joining McLain as the only other Tigers pitcher to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

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