The Clubhouse Tradition Growing Around Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal

Skubal isn’t just Detroit’s best pitcher. He’s the guy everyone knows can set the tone for the day. When he’s on the mound, the Tigers’ chances look a whole lot better, and his teammates clearly feel it. Ibáñez’s shirt was a nod to the confidence Skubal brings every fifth day.

Skubal has been every bit the ace the Tigers hoped for and then some this season. 

The left-hander is 11–3 with an American League–best 2.18 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts, pairing elite swing-and-miss stuff with some of the best control of his career. He’s trimmed his walk rate to 3.6% while bumping his strikeout rate to 34%. 

It’s the reason Tigers fans (and now teammates) are leaning into the “King Skuub” nickname, a moniker that feels less like a gimmick and more like a title he’s earned.

The defending Cy Young-winner was taking the mound Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. 

Players around baseball will tell you that there’s a different energy in the clubhouse when the ace is starting. Guys loosen up a bit, play with more confidence, and know they might only need a few runs to win. Ibáñez just happened to wear that energy on his chest.

The Tigers haven’t had a true, every-fifth-day ace in years. Now that they do, you get pregame moments like this one.

 It’s a King Skuub day.