Mariners will face Tigers ace Skubal in Game 2 of ALDS

The Detroit Tigers will throw rookie Troy Melton in Game 1 and reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch announced Melton and Skubal as his first two starters during a press conference on Friday.

The Mariners announced George Kirby as their Game 1 starter and Luis Castillo as their Game 2 starter.

Mariners’ Kirby to start ALDS Game 1; Castillo gets Game 2

There was some thought that perhaps Skubal could start Game 1 on Saturday night, but that would have meant pitching on just four days rest after spinning a masterful 107-pitch gem in Tuesday’s wild card series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. Instead, the dominant left-hander will pitch on normal rest when he takes the mound for Game 2 on Sunday night at T-Mobile Park.

That could still allow Skubal to pitch again on normal rest if the series reaches a deciding Game 5.

This weekend will be a homecoming of sorts for Skubal, who pitched at Seattle U for three seasons before getting drafted by the Tigers in 2018.

Skubal is widely expected to earn his second straight AL Cy Young Award after another spectacular season. The 28-year-old Arizona native led the majors in both ERA (2.21) and WHIP (0.89) this year, while also ranking second in strikeouts (241) and tied for third in opponents’ batting average (.200).

This past Tuesday, Skubal tied a postseason franchise record with 14 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings in Detroit’s 2-1 win over Cleveland in Game 1 of the AL wild card round. He allowed only one run and three hits.

Seattle has faced Skubal twice this season.

On April 2, the Mariners scored three runs in 5 2/3 innings off Skubal in a 3-2 win over the Tigers at T-Mobile Park. They scored on a two-run double by Victor Robles and a solo home run by Dylan Moore, who finished the season on the Texas Rangers after being released by Seattle.

On July 11, the Mariners tagged Skubal for four runs in five innings on their way to a a 12-3 rout in Detroit. They scored their runs off Skubal on an RBI triple by Donovan Solano, an RBI single by J.P. Crawford and a two-run homer by Julio Rodríguez. Solano also finished the season on the Rangers after being released by Seattle.

Hinch said Melton’s start will be “somewhat abbreviated,” due to the fact he’s been used mostly as a reliever over the past two months.

A 24-year-old right-hander, Melton made his MLB debut on July 23. He posted a 2.76 ERA in 16 appearances – including four starts – over 45 2/3 innings this season. He recorded 36 strikeouts and 15 walks.

Melton struggled out of the bullpen in Game 2 of the wild card round on Wednesday. After entering in the eighth inning of a 1-1 game, Melton gave up four earned runs on three hits in one-third of an inning. The Tigers went on to lose 6-1.

Game 1 of the ALDS is set for a 5:38 p.m. first pitch Saturday at T-Mobile Park, while Game 2 will begin at 5:03 p.m. Sunday. Click here for details on Mariners Radio Network coverage of the ALDS from Seattle Sports.

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