MLB · 3 months ago

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers Targets Another Cy Young

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers Targets Another Cy Young

Tarik Skubal: The American League’s Top Ace and the Detroit Tigers’ Ticket to October

It’s time to stop dancing around it — Skubal isn’t just a breakout star in 2025; he’s the best pitcher in the American League. Maybe in all of baseball. A year after his tantalizing second-half tease, Skubal has leveled up and now leads a Tigers team with the best record in the AL and the look of a legitimate World Series contender.

His next start? Saturday against Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals Royals — a mismatch on paper, and one that offers betting value despite inflated lines.

Skubal’s Dominance: Cy Young Pace, Fantasy King

The numbers speak for themselves:

Record: 9-1
ERA: 1.85
WHIP: 0.87
Strikeouts: 88 in 72 innings
Opposing BA: .193

He’s touching 102 mph, mixing four plus pitches, and absolutely shoving late into games. This is Spencer Strider (Atlanta Braves) 2023 with more durability and better command. His presence alone has helped Detroit go 11-2 in his starts, and he’s become the most valuable SP in both betting and fantasy.

AL Cy Young Odds (FanDuel):

Skubal: +180 (favorite)
Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays: +450
Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros: +700

Betting Tip: If you’re holding a Skubal Cy Young ticket above +250, you’re in a great spot. His next few starts (vs. Royals, Chicago White Sox, Athletics) are prime stat-padding material.

Saturday Preview: Skubal vs. Wacha – Don’t Overthink It

Matchup:

Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. Michael Wacha (KC)
Line: Tigers -235, O/U 7.5

Wacha has been steady in some outings but lacks the strikeout stuff to handle Detroit’s improving lineup. Meanwhile, Skubal faces a Royals team that ranks 25th in OPS vs. LHP over the past three weeks.

Betting Play:

Tigers -1.5 (-110)
Skubal Over 7.5 Ks
Tigers First 5 Innings ML

You won’t get rich betting Detroit straight, but run line and strikeout props are profitable when Skubal is on the bump — he’s covered his K prop in 9 of 11 starts this year.

Sunday Outlook: Montero vs. Bobek – Trap Spot or Stay the Course?

Sunday’s matchup features Tigers rookie Keider Montero against Kris Bubic, a surprising arm for the Royals who’s put together a string of quality outings.

This game is tougher to project:

Montero has the stuff, but control is shaky.
Bubic has looked like a revelation, with a sub-3.00 ERA since debuting.

Betting Angle: Lean Under 8.5, especially if Detroit rests bats post-Skubal. First 5 innings Under 4.5 is also a sharp look.

Detroit’s Bigger Picture: World Series Sleepers?

Let’s zoom out. The Tigers are:

Leading the AL Central
Top-5 in team ERA
On pace for 95+ wins

And they’ve done it with Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty being fine, but not elite. The real credit goes to the pitching infrastructure — coaching, development, game-planning — which has been arguably the best in baseball this season.

It’s no coincidence people are whispering about manager A.J. Hinch’s bench coaches as future skippers and Chris Fetter’s pitching lab as the next hot destination for arms.

AL Pennant Odds:

Detroit Tigers: +950
World Series: +1800

Recommendation: If you believe in October pitching, the Tigers are a value pick now. Skubal is your frontline ace, and they’ll be buyers at the deadline.

Fantasy Focus: First Round Skubal in 2026?

You don’t take pitchers in the first round… until one like this shows up.

1.85 ERA
Over 10.5 K/9
Wins and volume in a weak division

In roto, he’s arguably the No. 1 SP. And he’s becoming matchup-proof. Skubal’s ascension raises the fantasy ceiling for Detroit’s hitters too, especially Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene, who are racking up run/RBI stats behind dominant starts.

Final Word: Bet on the Ace, Believe in the Tigers

Tarik Skubal is no longer a breakout story — he’s the heartbeat of a Tigers team built to last. If Detroit does damage this October, it’ll be because their homegrown ace is throwing 98 in the 8th inning with two men on and a pennant on the line.

Saturday Best Bets: