Tarik Skubal shines in return despite Tigers' loss to Guardians

In the United States, the Detroit Tigers faced off against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ ace pitcher, returned to the mound following an injury scare, where he had experienced tightness on his left side during his previous outing. Skubal put on a strong performance, pitched six innings, and gave up only one run on seven hits while striking out nine batters. However, despite his efforts, the Tigers could not secure a victory. After Skubal was replaced by right-hander Troy Melton in the seventh inning, the Guardians capitalized on a critical opportunity. Jose Ramirez hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer, leading the Guardians to sweep the Tigers with a final score of 3-1. The Tigers' struggles continued as they have now lost six out of their last seven games and 15 out of 22, erasing their once-comfortable lead in the AL Central division. Meanwhile, the Guardians have been surging, having won seven straight games to narrow the gap to just 3.5 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central. Cleveland's ability to turn their season around is significant as they have successfully overcome a losing record, winning 12 of their last 13 games. This performance reflects the competitive nature of the division as the postseason approaches. The Tigers, who had high hopes for this season, face the challenge of maintaining their lead with little time left in the regular season. The next series between the Tigers and Guardians scheduled for September 23-25 will be crucial for both teams as they vie for playoff positions. Skubal's return has raised hopes for the Tigers; however, without consistent support from the rest of the team, they will struggle to maintain their playoff aspirations.