Pirates-Tigers Doubleheader Features Cy Young Contenders

Aces are wild at Comerica Park in Detroit, Mich., on Thursday as the Tigers host the Pirates for doubleheader following Wednesday’s rainout.

Game 1 of the doubleheader will feature American League Cy Young Award contender Tarik Skubal on the mound for Detroit. He’s 7-2 this season and his 1.99 ERA is ranked fourth in the majors. Skubal’s also fourth with 111 strikeouts this season.

The left-hander is trying to become the first pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards since Pedro Martinez did so in 1999 and 2000 for the Boston Red Sox, as noted by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

“Just how dominant is Tarik Skubal? He has thrown 90.1 innings this season, and hasn’t permitted a run in 79 of them, yielding a 1.99 ERA and a 0.808 WHIP,” Nightengale wrote.

Skubal, 28, will be opposed by Pirates southpaw Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.33 ERA) in Game 1 of the doubleheader.

That brings us to Game 2, in which NL Cy Young contender Paul Skenes will toe the rubber for the Pirates.

Skenes’ record sits at an uneven 4-6, but his 1.78 ERA and .176 opponents’ batting average are the best in baseball.

Nightengale noted Skenes has given up just 19 earned runs in 96 innings this season. Yet in 15 starts this year, the hard-throwing phenom has just four wins to his credit.

“He is the first pitcher in MLB history to have a sub-1.80 ERA over a 15-game stretch and have fewer than five victories, according to Codify Baseball,” Nightengale reported. “In Skenes’ career, spanning 38 starts, he has given up just 48 earned runs for a 1.89 ERA.”

According to Nightengale, Skenes has not surrendered more than six hits in any of his 38 career starts. While the Pirates are 22-16 when Skenes gets the ball, he has just 15 career wins.

The 23-year-old right-hander will be opposed by an opener to be determined by the Tigers.

Game 1 of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. with Game 2 slated for 5:40 p.m.

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