Justin Verlander praised Tarik Skubal’s pitching after the Detroit Tigers ace threw the first complete game shutout of his career, achieving the feat in fewer than 100 pitches. Verlander, a former Tigers star, expressed admiration for Skubal and encouraged Detroit to allow him to pitch deeper into games.

Verlander Urges Tigers to Rely Heavily on Skubal

After witnessing Skubal’s performance, Verlander shared his enthusiasm for high-level pitching in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. He emphasized how the Tigers should treat Skubal like the best pitcher in the league and keep him on the mound as long as possible.

“If I’m the Tigers, and I’ve got the best pitcher in baseball, I want that (expletive) out there — ride that horse,”

Verlander said.

“That’s the way I thought about it when I was pitching.”

Skubal Views Verlander as a Role Model

Skubal revealed he had the opportunity to meet Verlander during spring training when the Tigers faced the San Francisco Giants. He admitted feeling somewhat star-struck, highlighting Verlander’s legacy within the organization.

“What he means to this organization, and what he’s accomplished in his career — he’s a Hall of Famer, and he’s been doing it for a long time. When you’re in my shoes, you strive to be who he is. I think that’s pretty cool,”

Skubal said.

Impressive Season So Far for Skubal and the Tigers

Skubal’s strong pitching this season has been a major factor in the Tigers’ success. The young ace holds a 5-2 record with a 2.49 ERA and leads Major League Baseball with 92 strikeouts. His contributions have helped Detroit secure a league-best 37-20 record, underscoring his rising importance to the team’s future.

With Verlander openly endorsing Skubal’s role as the team’s leading pitcher, the Tigers may lean further into giving their star the opportunity to dominate games. This approach could shape their pitching strategy as the season progresses and Skubal continues to develop into a top-tier talent.