Don't let Kerry Carpenter distract from another epic Skubal start

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) celebrates after a double play against Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning of Game 2 of ALDS at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Don't let Kerry Carpenter's HR distract from another epic Tarik Skubal start

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 10/7/24

Kerry Carpenter's three-run homer in the ninth inning of a scoreless game will be the lasting image of Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians.

Carpenter hit a moon shot into right field on a two-two count with two men on and two out to ultimately give the Tigers a 3-0 win and help them even out the series 1-1 with a trip back to Detroit coming up next.

This swing was the highlight, the big moment, the takeaway:

CLUTCH CARP pic.twitter.com/WjQ3U6w9uk
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 7, 2024

That's what will be shown on "SportsCenter" for the next few days until Game 3, and sure, there will be talk of starting pitcher Tarik Skubal and what he was able to do on Monday, but let's not let Carpenter's jack distract from just how good Skubal was against the Guardians on Game 2.

It's easy to almost take it for granted because this is what he's done all year, but in a game the Tigers needed to have to feel confident about winning this ALDS, all Skubal did was go out and throw seven innings of zero runs with eight strikeouts and just three hits against.

It was another epic playoff performance from arguably the best pitcher going right now, and it led to another Skubal moment that Detroit fans will want hanging in the Louvre.

Tarik Skubal wants the smoke #ALDS pic.twitter.com/xt9t1sToag
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2024

If the Tigers want their magical run to continue, they'll need a few more ace performances from Skubal. Luckily enough, he's a near guarantee to come through.

His scoreless innings streak currently sits at 22, going all the way back to Sept. 18.

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