The Detroit Tigers were one of the most surprising teams in the 2024 season.
After missing the postseason the previous nine seasons, the Tigers were able to make the playoffs as a wild card with a record of 86-76.
Not only did the Tigers qualify for the postseason, they won their wild-card round matchup with the Houston Astros, who had reached the American League Championship Series seven straight times.
A big reason for the Tigers’ success this season was Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
Jake Rogers was the catcher for all 31 of Skubal’s starts this season, and he recently gave some insight on what was said during their mound visits.
“When I took a rare mound visit, he’d be like, ‘What the heck are you doing out here?’” Rogers said, via MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
Tarik Skubal was on autopilot for the 2024 season. #Tigers | @tigers
🔗 https://t.co/fGPbvbjGlC pic.twitter.com/D1wDQTTPVR— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) November 21, 2024
Rogers revealed that he and Skubal were on the same page for most of the season and that Skubal would shake him off maybe one time a game.
Skubal won his first Cy Young Award after starting 31 games and posting a record of 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 192.0 innings pitched.
Along with his dominant regular season, Skubal excelled in the postseason, throwing 19.0 innings while allowing five earned runs and striking out 20 in his three starts (1-1 record).
The Tigers lost in the ALDS to the Cleveland Guardians and in 2025 will look to win their first AL Central title since 2014.
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