The Detroit Tigers are having a phenomenal season, and that’s large in-part to their Cy Young contending ace on the mound, Tarik Skubal. Skubal has pitched lights out all season long and that continued on Sunday.
Skubal led the Tigers to a series win over the Kansa City Royals with a 5-0 win on Sunday. The Tigers’ ace threw seven shutout innings, and gave up just four hits and two walks, and struck out four batters.
With the shutout outing, Skubal set a franchise record with his 11th scoreless start in and single season (minimum six innings pitched per start), according to Detroit News’ Chris McCosky.
Skubal Sets Tigers’ Franchise Record
The last three seasons have been flat-out sensational for Skubal, with an ERA under three each year. The Tigers’ ace has developed into one of the best pitchers in the MLB, and one of the favorites to win the Cy Young Award in 2025.
Skubal displayed exactly that on Sunday against the Royals and set the Tigers’ franchise record with his 11th scoreless start of the season in the process.
Tarik Skubal today vs KC:
7.0 IP | 4 H | 0 ER | 2 BB | 4 SO
8 whiffs
26 CSW%Didn’t have his normal stuff but still made it work. He’s coming for back to back Cy Young’s.pic.twitter.com/IpDL8yG1WE
— DataBase Hit (@DatabaseHit) August 31, 2025
Skubal’s 11th scoreless start moved him past Denny McLain, who threw 10 scoreless starts in 1969, to set the Tigers’ franchise record. The Tigers’ ace broke a record that stood for 56 years.
Sunday’s start was the latest of an incredible year for Skubal. He leads the American League with a 2.18 ERA across 174 innings pitched. Skubal also leads the entire MLB with 216 strikeouts, a .873 WHIP and 1.4 walks per nine innings.
Skubal has been the motor for a Tigers’ team that leads the AL Central and has the best record in the American League. The Tigers’ also have the second-best record in the entire MLB, and are poised for another playoff run in 2025.
