Tigers’ Tarik Skubal Wins Consecutive AL Cy Young Awards
Tarik Skubal, the ace pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, solidified his status as one of the best in Major League Baseball by winning the American League Cy Young Award for the second consecutive year. This achievement was confirmed on November 12, 2025, marking Skubal as one of the few pitchers in history to secure back-to-back Cy Young accolades.
Historic Achievements
Skubal’s remarkable 2025 season included a record of 13 wins and 6 losses, alongside an impressive 2.21 earned run average (ERA). His striking performance featured 241 strikeouts over 195⅓ innings, leading the American League in multiple key statistical categories:
- Baseball-Reference WAR: 6.5
- FanGraphs WAR: 6.6
- Strikeout Rate: 32.2%
- Lowest Walk Rate: 4.4%
- On-Base Percentage Allowed: .240
- OPS Allowed: .559
Standout Performances
In 2025, Skubal recorded the highest number of scoreless starts (12) in Tigers history, showcasing his dominance on the mound. Notably, he achieved this feat in a game on May 25, where he pitched a two-hit shutout against the Cleveland Guardians while striking out 13 batters, all in just 94 pitches.
Comparison to Legends
Skubal’s back-to-back Cy Young Awards align him with esteemed players like Jacob deGrom, who won in 2018 and 2019, and Pedro Martinez, the last American League pitcher to achieve this feat in 1999 and 2000. This recognition puts Skubal among an elite group of five cy young winners from the Tigers organization, which includes:
- Denny McLain (1968, 1969)
- Willie Hernandez (1984)
- Justin Verlander (2011)
- Max Scherzer (2013)
Future Considerations
Despite his personal success, Skubal’s postseason performance has been bittersweet. He started Game 5 of the American League Division Series for the second straight year, only to see the Tigers fall short again. This time, he pitched six strong innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing just one run before the team ultimately lost 3-2 in 15 innings.
With one season left before reaching free agency, Skubal’s future with the Tigers could be uncertain. His agent, Scott Boras, is known for not negotiating extensions close to free agency. The Tigers may need to explore trade options if an extension cannot be reached.
