The Detroit Tigers got good news at the right time: their ace is back. Tarik Skubal, last year’s American League Cy Young winner, is officially set to start Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians after leaving his previous outing early with tightness in his left side.
The scare came last Friday when Skubal walked off the mound in Miami during the fourth inning after only 45 pitches. With Detroit holding a comfortable lead in the AL Central, there was immediate concern that a lingering issue might derail both his season and the Tigers’ postseason plans. But after clean scans and a stress-free bullpen session on Monday, those fears are gone, at least for now.
Injury scare fades quickly
Skubal told reporters he threw with full intensity during the session, even pushing harder than usual, without any discomfort. “It’s one of those weird things,” he said, chalking it up as a minor setback. Manager A.J. Hinch echoed the optimism, saying the left-hander’s workout “looked normal and strong” and that the team expects him to stay on schedule.
The Tigers have been cautious with their ace in the past, but this time, Skubal himself was insistent he felt ready to go. With October looming, the club wasn’t about to risk unnecessary downtime, not when their rotation depends on his dominance.
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Division race heating up
Even after Tuesday’s loss to Cleveland, Detroit still sits atop the division and looks poised to lock down the AL Central crown. Skubal admitted he’d love nothing more than to clinch it at Comerica Park. “You want to do it at home in front of your fans,” he said, before joking about the “clubhouse destruction” that always follows a champagne-soaked celebration.
For the Tigers, the return of their ace is about more than just maintaining a lead in the standings. It’s about setting the tone for October. A healthy Skubal gives them a legitimate shot at making noise beyond the division series.
The matchup to watch
On Thursday, Skubal will square off with Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams, who has been quietly steady all season with a 10-5 record and 3.16 ERA. The duel pits one of the game’s premier strikeout artists against a young arm trying to prove he belongs in big moments.
With both clubs hungry for postseason leverage, this isn’t just another late-September game, it’s a preview of the type of pressure-cooker battles both teams expect in October.
Going forward for Detroit
For Detroit, keeping Skubal healthy remains priority one. He’s the anchor of a rotation that has been good enough to hold off challengers but will need to rise another level in the playoffs. If the lefty continues to pitch like the Cy Young version of himself, the Tigers won’t just be division favorites; they could become the postseason’s biggest sleeper.
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