Here’s why Detroit wouldn’t want anyone else on the planet starting ALDS Game 5.
inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal threw the biggest pitch of his career. It was a 97 mph fastball down in the zone, a pitch that induced Cleveland Guardians hitter David Fry to bounce into an inning-ending double play and preserve a scoreless tie.
Shortly after came the signature moment of his postseason dominance: As he walked off the mound, the game broadcast showed Skubal yelling a few choice words at the Progressive Field crowd booing him.
„I probably shouldn’t say some bad words with some cameras on me with kids watching“, Skubal said after the start. „But it was just emotion, raw emotion.“
The show of emotion made the rounds on social media, with Skubal’s own mother, Laura, scolding her son in a response to one of the most popular posts — an irony noted by Skubal on Friday.
Tarik Daniel!!
„It’s interesting my mom went to Twitter to say that“, he said. „You should hear my mom. I’ve seen her get ejected from plenty of high school basketball games.
„I guess it might run in the family there.“
That kind of competitive fire is why there is no pitcher on the planet to whom the Tigers would rather hand their season to in Saturday’s winner-take-all Game 5 in Cleveland. The best pitcher in the AL this year is now tasked with extending Detroit’s improbable postseason run.
„No moment is too big“, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson said. „There is so much conviction behind every pitch. So much fun to play behind. He’s special and he’s only just getting started.“
THE TIGERS MIGHT not have had the luxury of turning to the American League Cy Young favorite in an elimination game if not for one unexpected draft-day phone call in 2018.
After Detroit took righty Casey Mize with the No.1 overall pick, Tigers executive David Chadd got a call from an agent friend during the middle of the second round.
„Your best player isn’t even on your board“, the voice said.
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The call was from Scott Boras, who had an early idea of what Skubal could become; former client Bill Caudil had recommended to check him out.
„My god — this guy has arm strength like you wouldn’t believe“, Boras told colleagues after seeing Skubal for the first time.
Skubal was not a well-known name in the scouting world; he had undergone Tommy John surgery the previous year and was playing college baseball at Seattle University. His junior year numbers were more OK than outstanding, especially given the mid-major competition he was facing: He had a 4.
