Tarik Skubal just gave Tigers fans a day to remember at Comerica Park, and it’s the kind of performance that reminds everyone why baseball’s magic still burns bright, even if the starting pitcher’s role ain’t what it used to be. Back in the day, aces were ironmen, tossing complete games like it was their job—because it was. Now, with managers yanking starters at the first sign of trouble, a true workhorse is a rare breed. But on Sunday, Skubal strapped on the cape and delivered a masterpiece that had Detroit buzzing: a 5-0 shutout over the Cleveland Guardians, his first career complete game, and a history-making “Maddux” to boot. For more details, check the sports card above.
Skubal, the 2024 AL Cy Young winner, was straight-up unhittable, surrendering just two hits while racking up 13 strikeouts on a lean 94 pitches. That’s a Maddux—named after the legendary Greg Maddux—a complete game shutout with fewer than 100 pitches, and Skubal made it look effortless. But the real jaw-dropper came in the ninth, when he smoked a 102.6 mph fastball past Gabriel Arias for the final out, the fastest pitch by a starter in the ninth inning since pitch tracking began in 2008. The Comerica crowd lost it, and you can’t blame them. That’s the kind of moment you tell your kids about, the kind that makes you glad you shelled out for the ticket.
“I got a little teary-eyed out there, honestly, before the inning started,” Skubal said postgame. “I just thought to myself, 12-year-old me wouldn’t believe that was an opportunity—to have a fanbase support you the way it does and be in that moment.” You could feel the emotion in his words, a nod to how far he’s come from a ninth-round draft pick in 2018 to the ace of a Tigers team that’s sitting pretty at 34-20, the best record in the AL. This wasn’t just a win—it was a love letter to Detroit, a city that’s been starving for moments like this.
The Tigers needed this one. After dropping three straight to the Guardians, the vibes were shaky, and Cleveland’s lineup was ready to keep the pressure on. But Skubal? He’s built for these spots. The guy who claimed the pitching Triple Crown last year and tossed 17 scoreless playoff innings before a rare stumble against these same Guardians stepped up like the tone-setter he is. He didn’t just stop the bleeding—he flipped the script, giving Detroit the momentum they needed heading into a Memorial Day clash with the San Francisco Giants (31-22).
Skubal’s not doing this alone, of course. The Tigers’ lineup is stacked, and the rotation’s got two other studs—Casey Mize and Reese Olson—rocking sub-3.00 ERAs. But there’s something special about No. 29. Every fifth day, he’s the guy who makes you believe Detroit can hang with anyone. His 5-2 record, 2.49 ERA, and AL-leading 92 strikeouts are the kind of numbers that scream “ace,” but it’s the way he carries himself—calm, confident, and ready to shove—that has teammates and fans riding high. When he’s on the mound, you’re not just watching a pitcher; you’re watching a guy who’s rewriting what it means to be a workhorse in today’s game.
This Maddux wasn’t just a stat line—it was a statement. In an era where starters rarely go deep, Skubal went the distance, and he did it with flair. That 102.6 mph heater in the ninth? That’s the stuff legends are made of, the kind of pitch that echoes through Comerica and lingers in the minds of every fan who was there. With the Tigers rolling and Skubal leading the charge, Detroit’s got their sights set on something bigger than a single win. This team’s got the talent, the heart, and a southpaw who’s ready to carry them as far as they can go.
