Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Watch: Tarik Skubal shines in Tigers' first playoff win since 2013

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 1, 2024 5:31 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers are officially back in the win column as far as the MLB playoffs are concerned.

The Tigers took on the Houston Astros in Houston on Tuesday afternoon, and thanks to a Cy Young-like performance from ace Tarik Skubal, they came away with a 3-1 win — though the Astros did seriously threaten to win it late in the ninth inning with bases loaded.

Skubal pitched six innings and gave up just four hits with no runs, one walk and six strikeouts.

It was a vintage Skubal performance. Here are some of the best moments:

Tarik Skubal, Vicious 94mph Slider. pic.twitter.com/ovUQMOwWXZ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 1, 2024

Tarik Skubal records back-to-back Ks to get out of the jam! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/eco6aVbpGo
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2024

Tarik Skubal is FIRED UP pic.twitter.com/XZKmSHKKua
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 1, 2024

The Tigers last made the playoffs in 2014, but they were swept 0-3 by the Baltimore Orioles in the divisional round. Their last playoff win was on Oct. 16, 2013, against the Boston Red Sox in an ALCS series they lost, 4-2.

It's been a long drought for Detroit, but that drought is now broken.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: