Tarik Skubal delivered a postseason masterpiece, striking out a career-high 14 batters in 7⅔ innings to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series. The AL Cy Young favorite, who posted a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 2025, allowed three hits, three walks, and one run on 107 pitches, tying a Tigers postseason record.
Skubal’s arsenal – a 100-mph fastball, biting slider, and diving changeup – overwhelmed Cleveland’s lineup. He fanned eight of the first 12 batters and hit triple digits on three strikeout pitches, a rare feat. “He’s a beast,” said manager A.J. Hinch. “Vintage Skubal with an October edge.”
Detroit’s offense scraped by against Guardians starter Gavin Williams. Matt Vierling singled and scored on Riley Greene’s groundout in the third. Cleveland tied it 1-1 in the fourth on a controversial play, but Zach McKinstry’s seventh-inning sacrifice bunt scored Javier Báez for the go-ahead run. Will Vest and Jason Foley locked down the eighth and ninth, with Foley striking out José Ramírez to seal it.
Skubal’s 14 Ks matched Joe Coleman’s 1972 ALCS mark and avenged his 2024 playoff loss to Cleveland. The Tigers lead 1-0 as Game 2 looms Thursday, with Jack Flaherty facing a Guardians squad desperate to spark their .670 OPS offense.
