The Tigers led 1-0 and Skubal had ripped through the Guardians order the first time through, already registering four strikeouts. Then came the turmoil. Angel Martinez led off with an infield single. The ball traveled four feet. And it came after a lengthy delay after Skubal had gotten two strikes on him.

Against surprise 2025 standout Matthew Boyd on the mound for the Cubbies, San Diego took an early lead in this game when Xander Bogaerts rocketed a ball into the left-center gap for an RBI double. After gaining that lead in the top half of the second, Nick Pivetta and the Dads kept Chicago scoreless through their first four chances on offense.

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal finally flipped the script in Cleveland with a masterful 14-strikeout performance in Game 1 of the AL wild card series.

The Detroit Tigers shattered more than the Cleveland Guardians' hopes for a winning start in the American League Wild Card Series, as one of Tarik Skubal's pitches clipped Angel Martinez's bat before breaking the lens of a camera directly behind the batter.

The first day of the Wild Card round had everything you’d want in October baseball. Tight games, high drama, and two left-handed aces putting on absolute clinics. Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox and Tarik Skubal of the Tigers didn’t just win, they dominated. But the question is, who was more overpowering? Let’s break down the numbers.

I don’t know how you spent your day Tuesday. But I know how I spent mine … by watching postseason baseball for 11 hours and eight minutes.