Historic Milestone
When Tarik Skubal returns to the mound this week, he steps into a rare role in baseball history. The left-handed pitcher, fresh off being named AL Cy Young winner in 2024, will face the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions, on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. This season debut against the defending champions makes Skubal just the fourth reigning Cy Young winner to embark on a season against a title-holding opponent.
Dominance on the Mound
Skubal’s past season numbers underscore his exceptional talent. Finishing with an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts, he demonstrated a level of consistency and effectiveness that propelled him into All-Star status and helped the Tigers secure their first postseason berth in a decade. Beyond his impressive win–loss record, his 0.922 WHIP and 6.4 WAR highlight a performance marked by both strikeout prowess and overall impact on the game.
Season Prospects
Early spring results have only added to the anticipation surrounding Skubal’s comeback. In his five Grapefruit League starts, he posted a 2-0 record with a 2.33 ERA, an even more impressive 0.828 WHIP, and averaged 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Named as the Tigers’ Opening Day starter by manager A.J. Hinch during a spring training broadcast, Skubal’s leadership and skill are expected to be pivotal as Detroit looks to make a strong push in the regular season. With first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, all eyes will be on the southpaw as he faces a formidable opponent whom he previously limited to two runs in six innings during a matchup last July.