Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal has emerged as a pivotal figure in the team’s pitching success, entering the 2025 season following a standout 2024 campaign. As the Tigers prepare to host ESPN Sunday Night Baseball for the first time since 2017, Skubal is set to start the series finale against the Minnesota Twins, highlighting his importance to Detroit’s rotation.
In his sixth Major League Baseball season, the 28-year-old southpaw built on steady progress since his debut in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. After spending several years refining his mechanics and overcoming injuries, Skubal fully realized his potential in 2024, earning his first All-Star selection, the Cy Young Award, and the pitching Triple Crown. His remarkable year included an 18–4 win-loss record, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts over 192 innings, along with a seventh-place finish in MVP voting.
Heading into the weekend, the Tigers hold a league-best 51–32 record in the American League, with Skubal continuing his dominance. This season, he boasts a 9–2 record and a 2.29 ERA, cementing his role as a critical contributor to Detroit’s ongoing success. The team’s recent rise followed a decade-long playoff drought, culminating in a Wild Card Series victory over the Houston Astros before falling to the Cleveland Guardians in the divisional round last year.
This momentum carried into 2025, as the Tigers maintain a commanding 9.5-game lead in the AL Central. Their strong start to the season has energized fans and set high expectations for a team eager to prove their strength. The upcoming Sunday night broadcast offers a prime opportunity for Detroit to display a powerful roster led by Skubal’s pitching prowess.
The Tigers shared an update ahead of the game, announcing that standing room only tickets are available for the 7:10 p.m. start.
“Tarik Skubal is slated to start in our first time hosting ESPN Sunday Night Baseball since May, 2017,”
the club stated, underscoring the significance of the occasion for both the player and the franchise.