The Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners will play Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Friday night with their seasons on the line.
The Tigers will have their Cy Young favorite ace, Tarik Skubal, on the mound, and it doesn't get much better than that for Detroit.
Although the Mariners are the one team that's had Skubal's number, the Tigers wouldn't ask for a different guy with their season on the line. The Tigers' ace will also have a chance to further cement himself in MLB postseason strikeout history.
Skubal's Rare Strikeout Company
Skubal has struck out 43 batters through his first five career postseason starts. Only three pitchers have had more than that through their first five career postseason starts in MLB history, according to OptaSTATS.
The three pitcher above Skubal are Sandy Koufax (48), Bob Gipson (47) and Josh Beckett (44). Mike Mussina is tied with Skubal for fourth on the list with 43 strikeouts.
The Tigers' star has developed into one of the best pitchers in the MLB in his sixth year in the league. Skubal has now had three straight years with an ERA below three, and led the American League in wins, WAR, ERA and strikeouts in 2024.
Tarik Skubal is starting Game 5 of the ALDS for the Tigers, just like he did a year ago.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 10, 2025
"I'll let you guys create the narrative," he said. "I'm gonna just do what I do best, and that's play baseball." pic.twitter.com/v3MndLmekz
Now, he's only gotten better in 2025. The reigning Cy Young award winner is the favorite to repeat this year, leading the AL with his 2.21 ERA and the entire MLB with his 0.891 WHIP.
Skubal has taken his game to anther level this postseason, with a 1.84 ERA across 14.2 innings in his two starts. The Tigers' ace has 23 strikeouts across those two starts and now has a chance to add on Friday night in Game 5 against the Mariners.