The Detroit Tigers are 82-62, having one of the best seasons in franchise history, and are all but surely going to be headed to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
Electric starter Tarik Skubal remains the focal point of the organization after a stellar 2024 CY Young season, backed by another CY Young campaign this season. The New York Yankees are taking on the AL Central division leaders this week in a pivotal series that has seeding implications for New York.
Following an embarrassing 12-2 loss to the Tigers in the Bronx, the Yankees received positive news yesterday regarding the series outlook.
Tigers' Tarik Skubal will not pitch in the series
It was announced yesterday, before the first game of the series, that the Tigers' ace would not be pitching during the three-game set with the New York Yankees.
Skubal spoke to reporters and said that he would not be pitching in the series, even though he was set to start on Thursday, the series finale.
Over 28 starts this season, Skubal leads the American League in ERA (2.10) and has 222 strikeouts in 180 innings. He is the frontrunner for AL CY Young once again.
For the Yankees, they are dodging a bullet with Skubal opting not to start on Thursday. When Skubal pitches, Detroit is way more likely to win due to his sheer dominance. And New York is in a tight Wild Card race and needs any help they can get in terms of wins daily.
Skubal was critical in Detroit's miraculous run to get into the playoffs last season, and manager AJ Hinch may be taking a slightly different approach this season with his ace, considering the Tigers are ahead nearly nine games in the division.
With the Yankees being at home against the Tigers, you have to think these next two games are must-wins for New York, knowing that Skubal will not start in the series finale.