Skubal's 14-K Leads Tigers in Wild Card

Tarik Skubal struck out a postseason‑tying 14 batters and worked 7 2/3 innings (107 pitches) while allowing three hits and one earned run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card at Progressive Field. Skubal touched triple‑digit velocity and his 14‑K effort tied a Tigers postseason strikeout mark, reinforcing his standing as an AL Cy Young frontrunner. Detroit scored first on a Spencer Torkelson RBI single in the first and took the decisive lead in the seventh when Zach McKinstry’s sacrifice squeeze pushed home Riley Greene. Guardians starter Gavin Williams was effective (six innings, eight strikeouts), but Detroit closer Will Vest escaped a tense ninth that included José Ramírez being cut down at the plate to preserve the win. The Tigers now lead the best‑of‑three series 1-0 and can advance to the AL Division Series with a win Wednesday when Casey Mize faces Tanner Bibee.