Tigers' Tarik Skubal made more history on Thursday; What did Skubal accomplish this time?

Detroit Tigers' ace pitcher Tarik Skubal has delivered an incredible 2025 season, and is the front-runner for the American League Cy Young award.

Skubal continued his dominant year on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians with another quality start, which is his ninth quality start in his last 11 outings.

The Tigers' ace delivered six innings and gave up just one run on seven hits and two walks, and struck out nine batters.

Skubal Sets Career-High in Strikeouts

Skubal has developed into one of, if not, the best pitchers in the MLB over the last couple of seasons. The Tigers' ace led the AL in ERA and ERA+ in 2024, and led the entire MLB in WAR, wins and strikeouts.

The 28-year-old southpaw has gotten even better in 2025. Skubal leads the AL in ERA and WAR in 2025, and leads the MLB in WHIP and strikeout to walk ratio.

Skubal's nine strikeouts on Thursday moved him into second in the MLB, and set a new career-high. The Motor City ace led the MLB with 228 strikeouts last year, and he set a new career-high in Thursday's outing with 233 strikeouts on the season.

Tarik Skubal notches his 229th K, setting a new career high! ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/YTdKFcGOSM

— MLB (@MLB) September 18, 2025

The one pitcher above Skubal: Garrett Crochet, who's also put together a spectacular 2025 season.

Skubal has made the All-Star game each of the last two years and is the reigning Cy Young award winner. The Athletic predicted Skubal to win his second straight AL Cy Young award on Tuesday, and there seems to be little doubt that the award would go to anyone else.

The Tigers' ace just furthered that conclusion with his nine-strikeout performance on Thursday, to set a new career-high.

Tarik Skubal, 102 MPH Jet Fuel. ✈️⛽️ pic.twitter.com/aKcXqoREcW

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 18, 2025

Despite Skubal's fantastic outing, the Tigers were swept by the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, and their lead in the AL Central is down to 3.5 games. The Guardians have won seven straight and 12 of their last 13 games to keep their playoff hopes very much alive.

The Guardians and Tigers will meet again in five days for their final series in the last week of the season in Cleveland.