Tigers' Trade Dilemma
Tarik Skubal Achieves 1,000 Career Strikeouts as Trade Deadline Shadows Tigers' Ace
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Key Points
1
Skubal became the fastest Tigers pitcher to reach 1,000 career strikeouts, accomplishing it in 857 innings and surpassing Max Scherzer’s 944 2/3‑inning franchise mark.
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The crowd erupted with a standing ovation in Comerica Park after Leody Taveras’ RBI single off Skubal in the seventh, ending his night.
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With the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaching, Detroit sat at 51-58 and four games back of the wild card, and Skubal is a free agent after the World Series, likely to command a huge long-term deal elsewhere.
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In the game, Skubal went 6.2 innings with six strikeouts, three earned runs on four hits and a walk over 92 pitches, taking a no-decision as Detroit fell 10-9 in 12 innings—the bullpen meltdown locked in the loss.
Tarik Skubal struck out his 1,000th career batter on Tuesday night, becoming the fastest pitcher in Detroit Tigers history to reach the milestone. He got there in just 857 innings, beating Max Scherzer's previous franchise record of 944 2/3 innings, according to Roto Wire and CBS Sports.
The moment drew a standing ovation from the Comerica Park crowd. But the night carried a heavier weight. With the August 3 trade deadline just days away and Skubal set to hit free agency after the World Series, this may have been his last start as a Tiger, according to Bettors Insider.
Skubal Breaks Scherzer's Long-Standing Franchise Record
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, had long held the Tigers record for fastest to 1,000 career strikeouts. Skubal passed him by nearly 90 innings. The milestone strikeout came when Skubal fanned Taylor Ward. It was one of six punchouts on the night, per NBC Sports.
Skubal has been dominant in 2025. Through 96.2 innings, he owns a 2.79 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and a 116:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Those are Cy Young-caliber numbers. He is already a two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner, according to Bettors Insider.
Tigers Bullpen Blows Lead in 10-9 Extra-Inning Loss
Despite Skubal's milestone, Detroit lost to the Baltimore Orioles 10-9 in 12 innings. Skubal gave up three earned runs on four hits over 6.2 innings. He walked one and threw 92 pitches total. He left without a decision, per NBC Sports.
Leody Taveras hit an RBI single off Skubal in the seventh inning to end his night. The bullpen then melted down, giving up enough runs to seal the loss. Detroit's record dropped to 51-58, per Roto Wire.
Trade Deadline Looms as Skubal Eyes Free Agency
Detroit sits four games back of the wild card with the August 3 trade deadline approaching fast. At 51-58, the Tigers are not a clear playoff team. That puts Skubal's future in Detroit in serious doubt. The Dodgers and Brewers have been linked as potential trade destinations, according to Bettors Insider.
Skubal becomes a free agent after the World Series. A pitcher with his numbers could command a massive long-term deal. Any team that trades for him would also be getting a rental, which raises the asking price. Head Topics reported the milestone came at a significant moment in his Detroit tenure.
Skubal Wants to Stay Present as Deadline Uncertainty Grows
Skubal did not treat Tuesday's start as a goodbye. He downplayed farewell talk after the game. He said he wants to live in the moment and focus on the present. That mindset may reflect either calm confidence or a genuine lack of clarity about his next move.
Whatever happens before August 3, Tuesday night was a landmark. A packed crowd at Comerica Park stood to honor a pitcher who rewrote a franchise record. Whether he wears a Tigers uniform next week is another question entirely, according to Head Topics.
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