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Tigers first team to 60 wins thanks to another Tarik Skubal gem
Tarik Skubal. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Tigers first team to 60 wins thanks to another Tarik Skubal gem

The Detroit Tigers entered Sunday night's game in Texas on a six-game losing streak and needed their ace, Tarik Skubal, to step up and help put a stop to it. He did exactly that.

Skubal was sensational in the Tigers' 2-1 win, throwing 6.2 innings, allowing just four hits, one earned run and striking out 11 batters while issuing zero walks. 

That performance not only helped the Tigers snap their losing streak, but it also helped them reach the 60-win mark this season before any other team in baseball. 

The Tigers were one of the biggest surprises in baseball a year ago, winning 86 games and taking the ALDS to five games. They have not only shown that performance was not a fluke, but they've improved on it to become the best team in baseball through the first 100 games of the season. 

Their .600 winning percentage is on track to be their highest since the 1987 season. 

With an ace like Skubal leading their rotation, they are going to be a team that nobody wants to see in a short series.

And on Sunday, Skubal did exactly what an ace is supposed to do when his team is on a losing streak. He dominated. It continues what has been a dominant season that has seen his ERA drop to 2.19 for the season. That is tops in the American League and second only to Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes in all of Major League Baseball. If things continue on this current trajectory, Skubal is going to have a second straight American League Cy Young award to put in his trophy case. He might also give the Tigers a chance to win an even bigger trophy, given how good the team has been. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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