The Detroit Tigers enter the 2025 MLB season with high hopes after a postseason run in 2024.
The Tigers defeated the Houston Astros in two games in the Wild Card round before losing to the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the ALDS.
The Tigers are serious contenders for the American League Central crown, and pitcher Tarik Skubal is a big reason why.
Skubal finished the 2024 season with an 18-4 record and a 2.39 ERA, both career highs for the left-hander. Skubal also won the American League Cy Young Award, adding significant accolades to his resume.
Tarik Skubal Could Join Jacob deGrom in Exclusive Club
In 2025, Skubal is expected to remain one of the top pitchers in the game. In fact, he has been predicted to pull off a rare feat that hasn’t been done since Jacob deGrom achieved it with the New York Mets.
In a recent episode of “Talkin’ Baseball”, host Trevor Plouffe predicted Skubal to have another stellar season.
“I’m gonna go with Skubs, last year’s Cy Young winner in the AL,” Plouffe said when asked about the 2025 Cy Young winner. “He’s going to be in the top five Cy Young votes in the AL…I believe in Skubs, his stuff.”
The panel also discussed other Cy Young candidates, with picks like Pittsburgh Pirates sensation Paul Skenes and Boston Red Sox star Garrett Crochet.
Check out our picks for the 2025 Cy Young Award. #TalkinBaseball pic.twitter.com/rPb46JuRTN
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 17, 2025
deGrom was the last pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards, doing so in 2018 and 2019 with the Mets. Before him, Max Scherzer won the award consecutively with the Washington Nationals in 2016 and 2017.
Surprisingly, there hasn’t been a back-to-back winner in the AL since Pedro Martinez accomplished the feat with the Boston Red Sox in 1999 and 2000. But Plouffe is confident Skubal could be in the conversation again by season’s end.
Can the Tigers’ Ace Do It Again?
Skubal certainly has a strong case, though there are many talented arms in the AL. Some other early Cy Young candidates include Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans and the aforementioned deGrom and Crochet.
In a recent MLB.com predictions piece, Skubal was listed as the American League favorite, with Crochet coming in at No. 2. It could shape up to be a battle between these two stars in 2025.
It will be worth watching to see if Skubal can join the exclusive club and repeat the feat that hasn’t been done since deGrom.