Tarik Skubal obviously didn’t mind Sunday’s 11:30 a.m. start time.
The Tigers ace made clear the only issue with that early first pitch would be for the Guardians’ hitters.
Skubal was pretty much untouchable the entire game as Detroit cruised to a 5-0 win. From start to finish, Skubal was utterly dominant.
His last pitch of the game sums it all up. It was Skubal’s 94th pitch of the game, completing the famed “Maddux” complete game shutout in under 100 pitches.
But more notable than that was the velocity reading: 103 miles per hour.
It was the fastest pitch Skubal has ever thrown in his career.
103 MPH to end it!!
Tarik Skubal Shutout! 🍾🍾🍾 pic.twitter.com/RNofvnXG2C
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 25, 2025
MORE: Red Sox cut ties with former 1st-round pick
Rob Friedman, the Pitching Ninja, summed it up like this: “No starting pitcher has ever ended his 13 K shutout with a 103 mph fastball since we’ve been tracking pitches. I’m not even gonna look that up.”
Skubal’s 13 punchouts were paired with just two hits allowed. He didn’t walk anyone, but did hit one batter.
According to MLB researcher Dalton Feely, Skubal is the first pitcher in MLB history with a nine-inning complete game shutout with 13 or more strikeouts and fewer than 100 pitches.
102.6 mph to end the game!!!
Tarik Skubal with not only the fastest strikeout pitch by a starting pitcher under pitch tracking (2008)
But also the fastest 9th inning (or later) pitch by a starter in that span, surpassing Justin Verlander 101.3 mph on 7/24/09 https://t.co/P1ghj0C1iW
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 25, 2025
The 2024 AL Cy Young winner showed he’ll be right in that conversation again by the end of this season.
No one else is doing what Skubal just did, that’s for darn sure.
MORE MLB NEWS:
