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    • Jim Kaat sees Tarik Skubal as a real deal who has transformed the Tigers’ confidence
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    Jim Kaat sees Tarik Skubal as a real deal who has transformed the Tigers’ confidence

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    When Hall of Fame left-hander Jim Kaat watched Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal start the season, he knew the Tigers could be in for a special season.

    “Boy, I thought he was the one the first time I saw him. He has the size, the power and a great breaking ball,” said Kaat, a native of Zeeland, Michigan.

    Boy, was Kaat right.

    Skubal is on the verge of winning the pitching triple crown and is the leading candidate for the Cy Young Award, putting the Tigers within striking distance of the postseason.

    More: Jim Kaat, now a Zeeland and Cooperstown legend after “surreal” Hall of Fame induction

    He is 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA. He leads the AL in wins, ERA and strikeouts (228) in 192 innings.

    Kaat, who won 283 career games, had a similar season in 1966, although he pitched well over 192 innings.

    In 1966, Kaat led the AL with 25 wins, 304 1/3 innings, 19 complete games and a 2.75 ERA. During that time, there was only one Cy Young award for both leagues combined, and Sandy Koufax of the Netherlands won.

    In fact, Kaat’s season for the Minnesota Twins was so strong that the award was split between both leagues the following year and has been the case ever since.

    “It was my second year under Johnny Sain and I developed a controlled breaking ball. In 1965 I had a small shoulder problem. I started 42 games but only finished seven because my shoulder was getting stiffer. Johnny showed me how to use my wrist better.” “I changed my delivery a little bit and that helped take the stress off my shoulder,” Kaat said. “And I had much better control back then.”

    But even greater than his control was something he felt as he reached the ballpark. He was confident his team would win – he just knew it.

    “The mental part has also changed this year. In the middle of the season I was about 13-9. “I just had a win and every time I drove to the ballpark I felt like we were going to win.” “I just didn’t know what the outcome was going to be,” Kaat said. “I felt so confident and managed nine goals in a row. I think a big part of that is because of the role Skubal is playing right now… the Tigers know that when he’s pitching, it’s win day. Everyone has that feeling and it really changes things.” “

    It’s made the Tigers a playoff contender, and with just three games left, that confidence could lead to the Tigers playing in the postseason for the first time in a decade.

    Contact Sports Editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSportS.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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