The Detroit Tigers seem to be one American League team that is flying under the radar this season.
While the results did not show up last season, the team showed improvement.
The Tigers seem to have a solid core of young players who are ready to come into their own.
One player who had a breakout season was starting pitcher Tarik Skubal.
He was always a high-upside starter in his career but had been unable to put it all together.
At the end of the 2023 season, Skubal finally put it all together.
According to MLB Network, Skubal had some impressive stats over his final eight starts.
He threw 48 innings, allowing 27 hits, with 66 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.88.
Also, he had at least seven strikeouts in all eight starts.
Tarik Skubal’s last 8 starts to finish 2023:
48 IP
27 H
8 BB
66 K
1.88 ERA7+ K in all 8 starts pic.twitter.com/eJJIAsOKJd
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 4, 2024
If you extrapolate those stats over a full season, Skubal would have won the Cy Young award.
But, that is the type of upside he has heading into 2024.
The Tigers should be better and Skubal is a big reason why.
Entering his age-27 season, Skubal is still in the prime of his career.
It is time for the breakout season that most have been waiting for, as in four MLB seasons he has yet to throw over 149.1 innings.
Durability will be key for Skubal this season.
Getting him close to 200 innings pitched could lead to significant success.
Also, it is worth mentioning that the AL Central is up for grabs.
None of the teams in that division are head and shoulders above the rest.
It is one division that is up for grabs in 2024.
Having a healthy Skubal could push the Tigers over the top.
The post Stats Highlight Exciting Upside For Key Tigers Pitcher appeared first on The Cold Wire.