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Will Tarik Skubal start for Detroit Tigers in season finale vs Red Sox? It depends
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- Will Tarik Skubal start for Detroit Tigers in season finale vs Red Sox? It depends
BOSTON — The Detroit Tigers listed left-hander Tarik Skubal as their starting pitcher for the final game of the regular season, but the reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't guaranteed to take the mound against the Boston Red Sox .
He won't pitch unless the Tigers are facing elimination.
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The Tigers face the Red Sox on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Fenway Park to complete the regular season, with Skubal scheduled to make his 32nd start.
"It's pretty clear," manager A.J. Hinch said before Friday's series opener against the Red Sox. "If we need to get into the playoffs, we're going to pitch Tarik. If we've clinched a playoff berth, then we won't pitch him."
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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 2025, Skubal owns a 2.21 ERA with 33 walks and 241 strikeouts across 195⅓ innings in 31 starts. The 28-year-old is the favorite to repeat as the Cy Young winner, which would make him the first AL pitcher to do so since Pedro Martínez in 1999-2000.
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The Tigers have a 21-10 record in his 31 starts.
Entering Friday, the magic number is two for the Tigers to clinch a spot in the postseason: two wins by the Tigers, two losses by the Houston Astros or one of each. There are three games remaining in the regular season.
The Tigers will start Skubal in Sunday's game against the Red Sox if a win is needed to advance to the postseason. If the Tigers already clinched, then Skubal won't pitch to win the AL Central or determine the playoff seeding.
Ahead of Sunday's game, the Tigers have right-hander Casey Mize starting Friday, but to-be-determined is listed for Saturday's game. The Tigers will set their pitching plan for Saturday based on what happens in Friday's game.
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"We're literally going day by day," Hinch said. "I'll know more after the game, but not until then."
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Colt Keith , Matt Vierling injury updates
Infielder Colt Keith (right rib cage inflammation) — who is suffering from an intercostal strain — continues to wait for clearance to swing at full speed. The 24-year-old suffered the injury Sept. 18 on a swing , which produced an RBI double.
Keith is a key piece missing from the Tigers' offense.
"He hasn't been turned loose in the cage yet," Hinch said. "I think he's moving around better. I think he's out of pain. But we're still uncertain what he can handle. We'll test him."
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Some of those tests will take place Saturday and Sunday, but for now, the Tigers don't sound like they're counting on Keith to be active in the best-of-three wild-card series, beginning Tuesday.
Outfielder Matt Vierling ( left oblique strain ) initiated a hitting progression recently. The 29-year-old already has been completing defensive drills and running drills.
He hasn't played for the Tigers since Aug. 9.
"He swung a little bit," Hinch said. "Again, I'm not sure what that means. It means nothing for this weekend, but his rehab has started to ramp up a little bit."
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There isn't a timetable for Keith or Vierling to return.
Both players are rehabbing at Comerica Park.
"We're trying to push these guys to see where the line of tolerance is without completely setting them back," Hinch said, "just because of the urgency of the season and what's ahead. Steps forward are good, but it's just not full speed."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tarik Skubal scheduled to start Sunday vs Boston Red Sox to end season
