Tonight in Atlanta, Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the American League in the All-Star Game, marking a historic milestone for the Detroit Tigers. At just 29 years old, Skubal becomes the ninth distinct Tigers pitcher—and the 12th overall—to start in the Midsummer Classic, the first since Max Scherzer in 2013 during his Cy Young Award season.
Continuing a Legacy of Elite Tigers Pitchers
This achievement places Skubal in the company of legendary Tigers pitchers such as Hall of Famers Hal Newhouser, Jim Bunning, and Jack Morris, as well as memorable arms like Mark Fidrych, Denny McLain, Kenny Rogers, and Justin Verlander. These pitchers have left an indelible mark on Tigers history through multiple All-Star starts.
Building on a Stellar 2024 Cy Young Campaign
Since winning the AL Cy Young Award and leading in the pitching Triple Crown last year, Skubal’s dominance has only grown in 2025. Over 19 starts, he holds a strong 10–3 record, with an impressive 2.23 ERA, a league-low 0.83 WHIP, and 153 strikeouts in 121 innings, ranking him prominently among American League leaders.
Rare Feat Among Cy Young Winners
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Skubal is just the 14th pitcher—and the 16th instance overall—to start an All-Star Game following a Cy Young-winning season. He is the first since Scherzer’s back-to-back appearances in 2017 and 2018, and notably the first American League Cy Young winner to do so since Justin Verlander in 2012, when Verlander also represented the Tigers.
A Showcase of Baseball’s Top Pitching Talent
Sharing the spotlight with Skubal will be National League starter Paul Skenes, last year’s recipient of the accolade, setting the stage for a duel between two of baseball’s premier pitchers. When Skubal takes the mound at Truist Park, he will solidify his place in Tigers history by continuing his remarkable run of excellence that began with last year’s Cy Young honor and has elevated even further in 2025.
“He’ll share the spotlight with Paul Skenes, last year’s National League starter, crafting a preview of the game’s top arms.”
—Source
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How much does Tarik Skubal make?
A. On January 9, Skubal and the Tigers signed a one-year contract for $10.15 million, avoiding arbitration for the American League Cy Young winner.