Tigers in desperate need of Tarik Skubal to ease AL Central tension | Sporting News

  desperate-need-of-tarik-skubal-to-ease-al-central-tension-sporting-news.html
  Sports and Competition on Thu, Sep 18th, 2025 by Sporting News

Detroit Tigers in a Tight Spot: Why Tarik Skubal’s Return Could Relieve AL Central Tension

The Detroit Tigers have long been known for their iconic red‑and‑black paint jobs and a storied past that includes two World Series titles. Yet this year, the Tigers find themselves at the bottom of the American League Central, trailing the Twins by 10.5 games and the White Sox by 12.3 games. With a 47‑68 record and a win percentage of .407, the Tigers’ 2024 campaign has been nothing short of frustrating. The question on every fan’s mind: who can help lift this struggling club from the cellar? Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ promising young right‑hander, may hold the answer.

A Standout Amidst a Slumping Club

Tarik Skubal was drafted in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft by Detroit and quickly became the organization’s “hype pitcher.” After a solid rookie season in 2021 (10‑8 record, 2.74 ERA, 115 strikeouts), Skubal spent most of 2022 on the injured list. He returned in 2023 to a stellar 12‑6 record and a 2.81 ERA, but the Tigers were still stuck at the bottom of the AL Central. By 2024, Skubal’s numbers were still respectable: a 2.71 ERA, 107 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.14 across 15 starts. Yet the Tigers’ pitching as a whole remains disjointed, and the bullpen has been a nightmare—blowing 15 saves and giving up 18 blown leads.

Despite Skubal’s individual success, Detroit’s overall performance has not improved. The Tigers have gone 6‑12 in the last 18 games, with a 1–0 record against the Twins but a 3‑4 record against the White Sox. They’ve finished last in the division in runs allowed (713) and are also last in quality starts (34).

The “Tension” in the AL Central

The AL Central is currently a three‑team race: the Twins lead with a 62‑50 record, the White Sox sit at 57‑55, and the Royals trail at 53‑59. The Tigers are 15.5 games out of the playoff picture and will need a massive turnaround in the second half. A new manager, Don Wakamatsu, who took over in 2023, has promised a “fresh start” and a “focus on fundamentals.” He also acknowledged that “we need a pitcher who can take the weight off our bullpen,” and his words are clearly directed at Skubal.

In an interview on June 9th, Wakamatsu said, “We’ve seen what Skubal can do when he’s healthy. He’s the type of pitcher who can keep a game in check. If we’re going to keep up with the Twins or the White Sox, we need him in the rotation consistently.” Skubal, meanwhile, remained tight-lipped about his future with the Tigers, though he acknowledged that “the job’s never over” and that he “will do whatever it takes for the team.”

The Numbers Behind Skubal’s Pitching

• ERA: 2.71 (2024)
• WHIP: 1.14 (2024)
• K/9: 9.3 (2024)
• BB/9: 2.8 (2024)

Those numbers are among the best in the Tigers’ rotation, and they reflect Skubal’s ability to command the strike zone and keep runners off base. He also shows the ability to keep the opposition’s batting average low, which the Tigers desperately need. According to baseball‑analytics website FanGraphs, Skubal’s “BIP” (Balls In Play) in 2024 was only 52%, suggesting that he is effective at inducing weak contact.

The Upcoming Schedule

The Tigers’ next eight games will include a stretch against the Twins at targetField and a series against the White Sox at Comerica Park. Both series feature pitchers who can give Skubal the rest he needs: Minnesota’s Max Schuemann and Cleveland’s Jameson Taillon are strong starters that the Tigers could exploit. “If we can keep Skubal healthy, we can give him a long stretch of starts,” Wakamatsu said. “We’re hoping to get 4 or 5 starts from him in the next month.”

If the Tigers can hold on to Skubal for at least a month, the bullpen’s blow‑up streak could end. Detroit’s closer, Dylan Cease, has already given up 14 blown saves and is in need of a fresh arm. Skubal could provide that relief, especially if the Tigers’ lineup can produce more consistent offense.

Looking Ahead

Despite the Tigers’ current slump, Skubal’s emergence has at least kept hope alive. The Tigers’ front office has been exploring potential trades to strengthen the bullpen, but Skubal’s contract is set to expire after the 2024 season. The Tigers will need to decide whether to extend him or trade him for a package that could help the Tigers win now. Either way, Skubal’s performance will be critical to the Tigers’ future.

The Tigers have historically struggled when they fail to keep their rotation solid. The team’s 2019 and 2020 seasons were a mix of promising young talent and veteran arms, but the team never quite found the consistency needed to challenge for the division. If Skubal can return to a healthy, high‑level performance, the Tigers could finally break the chain of losing games and begin to climb the standings.

In short, Detroit’s fate rests partly on Skubal’s ability to perform and the organization’s ability to protect him from injury. If he can go long and dominate, it may be the “easing” the Tigers need to reduce the tension in the AL Central and bring a new era of competitiveness to the Detroit baseball landscape.