Tonight Is Hands Down The Biggest Game Of Tarik Skubal's Entire Life.....Let's See What The Kid's Got

Listen, I'm not going to sugar coat or dance around anything with this blog. Tarik Skubal is a good pitcher. The Tigers are playing good baseball. And when he is on the mound, like AJ Hinch said, everyone thinks they are going to win. But here's the thing: up until tonight's game in Kansas City, there has never been any pressure on him. Tonight, for the first time all season, there is immense pressure. In fact, after looking through his Wikipedia page, I'd venture to guess he's never had pressure on him in his entire life? Or was he playing in big games at Seattle University? And I know damn well the Tigers haven't made the playoffs in a decade.

Anyways, the fact of the matter is that a few weeks ago, the Tigers season looked dead and over.  But after winning 8 of their last 10, including their last 3, paired with the Twins, Royals, and Orioles all skidding......they're very much alive.

1.5 out with 10 to play? And a game tonight against a team ahead of them? Folks….some people are calling this a must win game. They win tonight…and they've got 3 against the Orioles who are ahead of them….and they finish with 3 against the dreadful White Sox….guys they can make it? They just have to win games they have to win. And if Tarik Skubal is pitching with only 10 games remaining, they have to win.

…..and it's not just the Wild Card spot at stake tonight. I think he's also pitching for the Cy Young Award. People are going to get all pissy with me because Skubal is -5000 to win the award, but if you think it hasn't gotten substantially closer in the last month then you don't know ball. Emmanuel Clase has 5 appearances, 5 saves, and 0 ER in September. Skubal hasn't won a game this month. One is getting stronger, the other is slowing down. And the season long side by side odds don't do anything to my argument other than show they're both having a good year:

But don't just take my word for interpreting those stats. How about we use the World Wide Leader in Sports predictor for the award? They should have at least a little bit of credible insight on the topic:

Advertisement

Interesting. They agree that this race is not close. Because Clase should run away with it!!!!! Look, all I'm saying is that this race gets A WHOLE LOT MORE INTERESTING if Skubal gets banged up a bit tonight vs. the Royals. What if he goes 4 and 2/3, gives up 5, and they lose? They lose not just the game but the season. And he loses not just the season but the award. A lot riding on tonight's game, Tarik. Let's see what the kid's got….