Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal takes home the Triple Crown in pitching

“Perhaps the easiest decision of my tenure here,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said as he gave Skubal the ball for Game 1. “I’m very proud of him for doing it, not just for what he did. The work he’s done for him, coming back from his injury, a few innings last year, his work in the offseason at home, his communication with Fett (Chris Fetter, pitching coach), tweaking some things along the way and not, you know, the habit of just assuming that everything would get better, you know.

“He should get the national attention that he’s about to get.”

Skubal, 27, was selected by the Tigers in the ninth round in 2018 out of Seattle University. He debuted in the majors in 2020, made 31 appearances (29 starts) in 2021, then was limited by flexor tendon surgery in 2022 and 2023.

He was 18-4 that season and made his first All-Star team. He has a WHIP of 0.922, picking up where he left off last season when he had a WHIP of 0.896 in 80.1 innings over 15 starts.

Before this season’s trade deadline, there were rumors that the Tigers might shop Skubal, who could be a free agent after 2026, in a sweet deal from a contender, but president Scott Harris said that was never seriously discussed. Detroit sent away four veterans at the deadline, including starting No. 2 Jack Flaherty, but retained Skubal, who will now appear in the playoffs for the first time of his major league career after the Tigers bounced back after 10 games in August and September Wild card race to reach the postseason for the first time since 2014.