When Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal takes the mound Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, he'll look to progress one of the most dominant pitching stretches in recent memory. Skubal, whose last start saw him punctuate his first career shutout with a 102.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal has established himself as the best pitcher in baseball, dominating in 2025 a season after winning the American League’s pitching Triple Crown. However, Detroit has been unable to sign him to a contract extension and talks aren’t going well.

The Detroit Tigers have been playing an exciting brand of baseball over the last two years, and they owe a huge chunk of it to their superstar ace. Last year's reigning American League unanimous Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal — as impossible as it seems — might just be even better right now than he was during last year's campaign.