Detroit Tigers' Skubal Pursues Second Consecutive AL Cy Young Award

Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and Detroit Tigers ace, is having a standout 2025 season with a strong chance to win his second consecutive Cy Young Award, a feat not achieved in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 2000. Skubal leads the AL in several key pitching metrics including WHIP, strikeout rate per nine innings, and K/BB ratio, with an ERA narrowly ahead of Boston's Garrett Crochet. Despite a recent slump and a less-than-stellar All-Star Game performance, Skubal remains a dominant force, noted for his consistent use of a 4-seam fastball on the first pitch in nearly every start. He is also closing in on a historic second consecutive pitching Triple Crown, trailing narrowly in wins, strikeouts, and ERA behind league leaders. Skubal's performance has helped the Tigers maintain the best record in baseball and a substantial lead in the AL Central despite some recent team struggles. His continued excellence positions him alongside legendary pitchers who have achieved back-to-back Cy Young Awards and consecutive Triple Crowns in MLB history.