Defending American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will pitch for the Tigers in the second American League Divisional Series game against the Mariners
SEATTLE — At roughly 1:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced that George Kirby and Luis Castillo will start for Games 1 and 2 of the American League Divisional Series, respectively, against the Detroit Tigers.
Game 1 is scheduled for 5:38 p.m. PT on Saturday and Game 2 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. PT on Sunday — both at T-Mobile Park.
Several hours after Wilson's announcement, Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch announced his team's starters for Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS.
Troy Melton will start for Detroit in Game 1 and defending American League Cy Young-winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound in Game 2.
Melton's start will likely be a bullpen day for the Tigers.
Melton made his major league debut this season and posted a 2.76 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 45.2 innings pitched across 16 appearances (four starts). He made an appearance in Game 2 of the Tigers' best-of-three wild card-series against the Cleveland Guardians on Oct. 1. He intentionally walked one hitter and allowed four earned runs on three hits (one home run) in 0.1 innings pitched.
Skubal, who could very well win back-to-back Cy Young awards this year, attended college at Seattle University. He had a 2.21 ERA this year and fanned 241 batters in 195.1 innings pitched across 31 starts.
Skubal started Game 1 of the wild card-series against Cleveland on Sept. 30. He struck out 14, walked three and allowed one earned run on three hits in 107 pitches across 7.2 innings.
Skubal has started two games against the Mariners this season. Across those pair of outings, Skubal posted a 5.91 ERA, fanned 13, walked five, hit a batter and allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits (two home runs) in 10.2 innings pitched. Seattle won against Detroit in both of Skubal's starts this year.
The two teams will head to Comerica Park in Detroit for Game 3 of the best-of-five series. Neither manager announced their respective Game 3 starters.
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