Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal Sets MLB Strikeout-Walk Record in 11 Starts

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is having a historically dominant 2025 season, building on his 2024 AL Cy Young Award-winning performance with remarkable control and strikeout ability. Skubal became the second pitcher in MLB history to reach 100 strikeouts with just seven walks through 13 starts, joining Clayton Kershaw, and has posted an extraordinary 95 strikeouts to only three walks over his last 11 starts. His current 2.16 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 6-2 record place him among the best pitchers in the league, while his ability to maintain fastball velocity late in games rivals Justin Verlander. Skubal’s dominance is a key factor in the Tigers' strong 42-23 record, making them serious contenders in the American League. In a recent outing against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched 7 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and no walks, continuing a streak of six wins and a 1.61 ERA over 11 starts. His sustained excellence has drawn comparisons to Clayton Kershaw’s MVP and Cy Young season in 2014, and he is on pace to challenge for both the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 2025.