DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – On his 28th birthday, Tarik Skubal became 2024’s best pitcher in baseball as the MLB announced him as the AL Cy Young award winner, earning the pitching Triple Crown. Skubal went 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, leading the MLB with 228 strikeouts in 31 starts.

“This is pretty special,” said Skubal. “All the hard work, all that goes on behind the scenes, moments like this make it extremely worth it.”

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He received all 30 first-place votes and is the fifth Detroit Tiger to win the award, joining Max Scherzer (2013), Justin Verlander (2011), Willie Hernandez (1984), and Denny McLain (1968, 1969). Skubal adds,

“It’s an honor just to have my name spoken in the same sentence as those guys. What those guys have been able to accomplish in their careers, that’s something I’m going to strive for.”

Detroit made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, playing for the AL Championship against Cleveland. His pitching helped Detroit upset Houston, stopping their long streak of playing for a pennant.

Skubal made it to the MLB in 2020, two years after the Tigers drafted him.

He says on the 2024 season, “It’s the memories, and, obviously, the experience will help our club going forward. So, it was really fun, and I’m glad that we got to experience that as a team, especially as a young team, too. So, it’s only up from there.”