There’s a difference between a good pitcher and a true ace. And on Monday night, Tarik Skubal reminded everyone which side of that line he stands on.
In a dominant 9-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, the Detroit Tigers ace was everything you want in a frontline starter: composed, confident, and in complete control. Skubal didn’t just set the tone — he owned it. Seven innings. Nine strikeouts. Only four singles allowed. But what stood out even more than the stat line was his fire.
Even with a 9-0 lead, Skubal wasn’t coasting. He let out one of his signature primal screams walking off the mound in the seventh. And when asked about it afterward, he gave the kind of quote that will stick with Tigers fans all season.
“I care about every inning,” Skubal said via The Detroit News. “I care about getting zeroes and getting our team back in and ready to hit. I try not to let the scoreboard impact who I am. I pitch every inning as if it’s 0-0.”
Skubal’s Mentality Is Setting the Tone in Detroit
A.J. Hinch could barely contain his praise after the performance, calling it a “vintage” outing from his ace.
“Just really good,” Hinch said. “It looked like he was in complete control. We spotted him some runs, which is good for any pitcher. But it’s an exceptional feeling when you have Tarik on the mound. And he didn’t let up. Kind of a vintage performance by Tarik and an all-around good team win.”
Hinch added that Skubal’s mindset — refusing to take his foot off the gas, regardless of the score — is part of what makes him special. And on a team hoping to contend deep into the season, it’s a leadership trait that can’t be overstated.
“Everything matters to Tarik and to the rest of our team. That’s a big spot. They are trying to chip away. It could change pitching decisions. It could change his outing. Getting out of that allowed him to go back out for the seventh.”
And boy, did he make the most of that seventh inning — striking out the final two batters with pure conviction before exiting to a standing ovation.
Tigers Fans Travel Well — And Show Out
One of the more touching moments of the night came as Skubal walked off the mound. Behind the dugout, a large group of Tigers fans rose to their feet and gave him a thunderous ovation — not something you often see on the road.
“I thought that was really cool, especially in a park we don’t come to all that often,” Skubal said. “It speaks to our fans. They support me and I feel it. I got the goosebumps when that happened before the game and you don’t expect that as the visiting team.”
For a pitcher who often flies under the national radar, the moment was a reminder: Detroit fans see what Skubal is doing — and they appreciate it.
The Bottom Line
Tarik Skubal isn’t just anchoring the Tigers’ rotation. He’s setting a standard for how to compete — with passion, precision, and purpose. His postgame quote might become a mantra for this team:
“I pitch every inning as if it’s 0-0.”
With that kind of fire leading the way, the Tigers are in good hands. And if you’re not watching Skubal every fifth day… you’re missing something special.
