DETROIT – Tarik Skubal crept closer to the Cy Young award and triple crown as the Detroit Tigers solidified their playoff spot with a win over the Rays.
Skubal wasn’t supposed to take the mound until 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, but the Tigers moved the game to the afternoon because of the weather forecast. They ended up waiting an hour anyway before taking the field around 2 p.m.
It was vintage Skubal from the very beginning. He carved up the Rays, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits and one walk. He struck out seven batters.
Skubal generated 18 whiffs on a season-high 103 pitches, including eight apiece on his four-seamer and changeup. He ended the outing with a roar after blowing a 97 mph heater by Christopher Morel on a 3-2 pitch.
The Tigers didn’t get much going against Tampa Bay starter Ryan Pepiot. Other than a pair of walks by Wenceel Perez -- one on 11 pitches and the other on six -- he cruised through the first four innings.
Perez came up again in the fifth after a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs. He battled once again and ultimately hit the ninth pitch of the at-bat down the right field line for a two-run double that hopped over the wall in foul territory.
That ended up being enough, as Beau Brieske took over for Skubal and got the final six outs, allowing just a solo home run to Brandon Lowe with two outs in the ninth inning.
Will this be Skubal’s last start?
Since the Tigers have five games left in the regular season, Skubal is tentatively lined up to start the finale Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.
If the playoffs are still in doubt, Skubal will certainly make that start, but if the Tigers are locked into a playoff spot before then, he’ll likely be held for Game 1 of the wild card round.
The Tigers would love to save Skubal for the playoffs, especially since the first round is just a three-game series, and having the best pitcher in baseball would be an immediate advantage in a crucial Game 1.
Cy Young and triple crown watch
Skubal has locked up the American League Cy Young award. Whether he makes another start or not, that race is over.
But the pitching triple crown is also well within his reach.
Skubal picked up his 18th win on Tuesday, which guarantees he will finish at least tied for the American League lead. Nobody else has more than 16.
He also has an insurmountable lead in ERA, at 2.39. Houston’s Framber Valdez is the closest at 2.85.
Strikeouts are the only remaining question. Skubal is up to 228 on the season after Tuesday, which gives him an 11-strikeout lead over Cole Ragans (Kansas City) and a 21-strikeout lead over Logan Gilbert (Seattle).
Ragans and Gilbert both pitch Tuesday, so they could technically make two more starts this season. So the strikeout race isn’t yet decided. Ragans also has a 12-strikeout performance under his belt this season (May 12 against the Tigers).
Playoff picture
With Tuesday’s win, the Tigers have temporarily moved a half-game ahead of the Royals for the second of three wild card positions. They’re 1.5 games ahead of the Twins for the final playoff spot.
Kansas City is in Washington on Tuesday night, while the Twins host the Marlins.
It’s far-fetched, but the Tigers also have an outside chance to host a playoff series if they can catch the Baltimore Orioles. They’re currently 3.5 games back, and the Orioles begin a road series against the Yankees on Tuesday.
The Tigers own the tiebreaker over the Orioles, but not the Royals or Twins.
Seattle is currently two games behind the Tigers. The Mariners play in Houston on Tuesday night. The Tigers own that tiebreaker.
