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    • Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal sends a message to fans during playoff push
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    Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal sends a message to fans during playoff push

    Bronwen Cerys Posted on

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    Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal threw a 97 mph fastball for a swinging strikeout, screamed for joy at the conclusion of the seventh inning and received a standing ovation from the fans.

    His walk from the mound to the dugout at Comerica Park was unforgettable, as Skubal threw seven scoreless innings in a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, bringing the Tigers one step closer to a postseason spot.

    The Tigers could win as early as Thursday.

    “That’s why you play the game, to play in those moments and in front of fans,” said Skubal, who threw 103 shots. “Even with all the time difference, they were still there and pretty focused from the first shot. It’s a lot of fun. That’s why you play the game. It’s nice that we have our destiny in our own hands now.”

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    The Tigers and Rays were scheduled to play at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, but the Tigers moved Tuesday’s game time to 1:10 p.m. because rain was forecast. Skubal was warned so he could go to bed early, but the Tigers didn’t announce the time change until 7:15 p.m. Monday, less than 18 hours before the new time.

    The Tigers sold 22,770 tickets.

    Skubal thanked the fans — small in number but massive in intensity — by clapping his left hand into his glove as he left the field for the final time in Tuesday’s win. It could have been his last start at Comerica Park in 2024, but he was thinking about nothing but the fans and the postseason pressure.

    With a score of 4-1 in the last five games, the Tigers are guaranteed a place in the playoffs, which would end a nine-year drought.

    “I’m very grateful,” Skubal said. “The fans have always welcomed me since I’ve been here. To go out there this late in the season and play in front of them and give them a reason to cheer is why I play the game.”

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    Four children held signs: We skipped school for Skubal.

    Skubal wants to see the cardboard signs again in the series finale against the Rays, which is scheduled for Thursday at 1:10 p.m., even though right-hander Reese Olson is slated to start.

    “Let’s let them skip school again on Thursday,” Skubal said. “I think that’s a great way to get out of school. Go to school on Wednesday and then have Thursday off. It’s fun.”

    Skubal put on a show for the kids – and the rest of the fans – in Tuesday’s win over the Rays, with first pitch delayed 49 minutes at 1:10 p.m. because of rain. He threw seven scoreless innings with two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.

    In 2024, the 27-year-old leads the American League with a 2.39 ERA and is the MLB’s top scorer with 18 wins and 228 strikeouts. He has achieved these figures in 192 innings in 31 starts.

    “Every time I step on the mound, I give it everything I have,” Skubal said. “I don’t want to leave anything in the tank. That’s all I can do at the end of the day. I can’t control soft hits, whatever happens defensively. All I can do is empty the ball and give it everything I have when I’m on the mound. That’s all I can promise the fans.”

    THE CHILD: Why the Tigers called up Jackson Jobe as a reliever for “this final week and beyond”

    The Tigers have a 21-10 record in Skubal starts and a 62-64 record in non-Skubal starts. Since August 11, the Tigers have won 28 of 39 games to earn a playoff spot.

    “The goal is to do this every year,” Skubal said. “The goal is to peak in September and get hot in October and see what can happen. You never know in the playoffs.”

    ( MUST LISTEN: Make “Days of Roaring”Your Detroit Tigers podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) )

    Skubal – who is currently scheduled to start at pitcher if needed in Sunday’s season finale against the Chicago White Sox – was asked if he had considered filling in as pitcher in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series on Oct. 1, likely against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

    “None,” said Skubal.

    “We have to get there,” Skubal continued. “We haven’t won or done anything like that yet. We have to get there, so I’ll be there on Sunday. We have to keep winning, keep winning. We’ll get there. We can talk about that when the time comes.”

    Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.

    Listen to our weekly Tigers show, “Days of Roar,” every Monday afternoon on demand on freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And check out all of our podcasts and the daily speech recap at freep.com/podcasts.

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    Bronwen Cerys
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