Tarik Skubal struck out a career-high 14 batters Tuesday as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians, 2-1, in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series. Skubal's dominant performance tied a franchise record for most strikeouts in a postseason game since 2019 while giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three set. The left-hander pitched 7.2 innings, allowing three hits and just one earned run while posting a 1.17 ERA. Skubal's stellar start fueled the Tigers' road victory and gave Detroit the early edge in its postseason push. Guardians starter Gavin Williams struggled Tuesday, allowing five hits and one run while striking out eight over six innings.