Tigers' Ace Tarik Skubal Wins American League Cy Young Award
In a remarkable 2024 season, Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal has solidified his name among the elite by winning the American League Cy Young Award. Skubal's dominance on the mound was recognized with the ultimate honor as he swept all 30 first-place votes in the Baseball Writers Association of America balloting, marking him as the third consecutive unanimous Cy Young winner in the league.
This accolade places Skubal in esteemed company, following fellow pitchers Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who achieved similar unanimous victories in 2022 and 2023 respectively. This achievement also harks back to Max Scherzer’s win as a Tigers pitcher in 2013, rekindling memories of Detroit’s storied pitching legacy.
Dominance on the Mound
Skubal's 2024 season statistics are staggering. The 28-year-old southpaw amassed an 18-4 record, underpinned by leading the league with a sterling 2.39 ERA. His grip over the mound extended to topping the American League in Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) with a 2.50, illustrating his ability to control games through skill rather than defensive support.
Moreover, Skubal's ERA+ stood at an impressive 170, asserting his performance well above league-average pitchers. This statistical behemoth was complemented by 228 strikeouts, reinforcing his reputation as a relentless force against opposing batters, who managed only an OPS of .558 when facing him.
The Recipe for Success
Part of Skubal’s evolution into a Cy Young pitcher stemmed from adding a changeup to his repertoire, giving him an additional weapon to keep hitters at bay. Over the course of the season, he notched at least ten strikeouts in three separate games, a testament to his electric stuff and ability to overpower even the most seasoned batters.
Skubal's consistency throughout the season was notable, as evidenced by his 22 quality starts in 31 appearances, averaging over six innings per outing. His performance also translated seamlessly into the postseason, where he maintained a 2.37 ERA over three starts, striking out 20 while allowing no unearned runs over 19 innings, and walking just one batter unintentionally.
The Icing on the Cake
Fittingly, Skubal's crowning moment arrived on his 28th birthday, a serendipitous convergence of personal and professional milestones. “Being selected for the Cy Young on my birthday just makes it all the more memorable,” he might have said, had direct quotes been available. Earlier in the year, Skubal had also earned his first selection to the All-Star team, further validating his ascendancy in the ranks of MLB’s elite pitchers.
The 2024 season firmly positions Skubal as a cornerstone for the Detroit Tigers, who look forward to building on the promise he has shown. As the accolades continue to pour in, Skubal's achievements serve as a beacon of hope and competitiveness for the Tigers' faithful, eager to see their team rise once more to the heights of Major League Baseball glory.