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Tarik Skubal’s Complete Game Sparks Debate: Should Tigers Let Their Ace Go the Distance More Often?

As Justin Verlander praises Skubal’s dominance, Detroit’s new ace wants to redefine what a modern starting pitcher can achieve.

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Tarik Skubal’s complete-game shutout sparks a league-wide conversation as Justin Verlander urges Tigers to trust their dominant ace more often. ( Fox News )

DETROIT — After delivering one of the most efficient pitching performances of the 2025 MLB season, Tarik Skubal is not just making headlines — he’s challenging norms. With a 94-pitch complete-game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians, the reigning American League Cy Young winner has reignited the conversation around the role of the starting pitcher in today’s game. And he has a very vocal supporter: former Tigers legend and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander.

“If I’m the Tigers, and I’ve got the best pitcher in baseball, I want that [expletive] out there — ride that horse,” said Verlander, who watched Skubal’s performance and was quick to draw comparisons between the 28-year-old lefty and a golden generation of aces like Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw.

Skubal’s Sunday outing marked the fifth complete game of the entire season across Major League Baseball — a stunningly low number that underlines how rare such feats have become. It was also Skubal’s first career complete game, and it came with surgical precision: zero walks, 13 strikeouts, and just 22 balls thrown.

Since returning from surgery in mid-2023, Skubal has emerged as arguably the most dominant pitcher in the game. In 57 starts and 341 innings since then, he holds an MLB-best 2.51 ERA and a staggering 11.8 fWAR. According to Verlander, no current pitcher has turned themselves into a star with such authority since the previous generation’s greats.

“Is he the only starter from this new era to truly establish himself as an elite, inning-eating ace?” Verlander asked. “Guys like Paul Skenes may have the hype, but Skubal has the results.”

And Skubal wants to keep proving it — by staying on the mound longer.

“The game’s changed because relievers are so good now,” Skubal said before a recent game against San Francisco. “But my goal is to make it really hard for A.J. [Hinch] to take me out. I want him to have to think about it.”

That decision-making process has become a delicate balance for Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. On one hand, the data and health concerns encourage limiting pitch counts. On the other, Hinch acknowledges that a performance like Skubal’s earns the right to go the distance.

“If guys want to enter the ninth inning with 85 pitches, I promise you I will leave guys in,” Hinch stated. “But if we’re talking 120 pitches? Then the fresh arm of a reliever is just better.”

Still, Verlander argues that mindset may be costing the team — and the sport — a chance to develop the next generation of workhorse starters. “Not every pitcher is built the same,” he said. “Skubal is special. Maybe this is where teams start trending back — when they have someone like him.”

Skubal himself has yet to cross the 100-pitch threshold in 2025 and has done so only four times in his career. Yet, his elite efficiency — averaging just over six innings per start and throwing fewer than 96 pitches — suggests he’s capable of much more. His final pitch in the shutout was clocked at a record 102.6 mph, the fastest by any pitcher after 75 pitches this year.

It’s an old-school mentality in a new-school era. And for the Tigers, the question is becoming louder: Will they let their ace go the distance more often?

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Rovman Powell Net Worth 2025 Revealed

West Indies powerhouse earns millions through IPL contracts, franchises, and central deals

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Rovman Powell in action for the West Indies T20 team—on-field dominance reflected in off-field earnings

Rovman Powell, the dynamic middle-order batter and captain of the West Indies T20 side, has not only smashed records on the pitch but also built a strong financial foundation. As of 2025, his estimated net worth stands at approximately USD 2 million (around INR 16 crore)

A substantial portion of his wealth comes from lucrative IPL contracts. Powell was signed by Delhi Capitals in 2022 and 2023 for ₹2.8 crore each season, and in the 2024 and 2025 auctions he secured a ₹7.4 crore deal with Rajasthan Royals . These contracts alone have contributed tens of millions in earnings.

Rovman Powell (Jamaican Cricketer)



His central contract with Cricket West Indies also adds to his income. Current reports estimate his annual salary from the board to be around USD 250,000, part of his ongoing central contract

Beyond IPL and national pay, Powell’s global T20 franchise stints—in leagues like the CPL with Barbados Royals, with and now KKR in IPL 2025—bring in additional match fees, bonuses, and sponsorships, strengthening his financial profile

Rovman Powell



Known for his powerful hitting and leadership skills, Powell’s business acumen in cricket has made him one of the better-off Caribbean players. At 31, he’s entering peak earning years and is well-positioned to grow his net worth further through future contracts, brand endorsements, and possibly franchise ownership interests.

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Johnson Charles Net Worth 2025 Revealed

Two‑time T20 World Cup champion backed by IPL earnings and global franchise stints

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Johnson Charles in explosive form for the West Indies—batting prowess reflected in his growing net worth

Johnson Charles, the explosive wicketkeeper-opener from Saint Lucia, has carved out a solid financial status alongside his standout cricket career. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $5 million USD, driven by his international achievements, franchise earnings, and endorsements

A two-time T20 World Cup winner with the West Indies (2012 and 2016), Charles rose to prominence with powerful batting in limited-overs formats. His ability to hit big and finish matches has been rewarded in leagues around the world.

Johnson Charles (St. Lucian Cricketer)



In the 2022 IPL auction, he secured a contract worth INR 50 lakhs with Kolkata Knight Riders . Though modest by IPL standards, recurring contracts and performance bonuses have added significantly to his income over subsequent seasons. He has also played for teams like Barbados Royals, Jamaica Tallawahs, Quetta Gladiators, and , with each engagement reinforcing both his cricket earnings and international brand.

Johnson Charles



Combine that with central contracts and match fees from Cricket West Indies, and sponsorship deals with kit makers such as SS, SG, and CA—Charles‘s financial portfolio shows the power of a niche skillset in a global sporting landscape

Now 36, he remains active in franchise cricket. With further T20 opportunities and roles in coaching or ambassadorial duties possibly on the horizon, his net worth trajectory is expected to continue its upward curve.

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Evin Lewis Net Worth 2025 Revealed – How Windies Banger Earns from Bat and Brand

From explosive T20 knocks to IPL contracts, here’s how West Indies opener Evin Lewis has built his ₹35 crore fortune

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Evin Lewis celebrates after smashing one of his two T20I centuries in West Indies colours

Evin Lewis, the power‐hitting opening batter for the West Indies, has slammed his way into both cricketing legends and financial success. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is ₹35 crore (around USD 4.2 million)—a testament to his striking abilities on the field and earning power off it

A sustained career in the IPL has driven much of Lewis’s income. In the 2022 auction, he secured a ₹2 crore (USD 270,000) base salary with Lucknow Super Giants—and over the years, IPL earnings alone have included participation, retention and performance bonuses totaling approximately £744,800

Evin Lewis (Trinidadian Cricketer)


His international success also contributes meaningfully. With monumental innings like his 148 in ODIs and two T20I centuries, Lewis still commands central contracts and match fees from Cricket West Indies . Add to that endorsements—he’s worked with brands such as SS, SG, and CA—and his net worth appears well-matched to his explosive batting reputation

From local leagues in Trinidad to global platforms, Lewis has played for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants and Champions League/T20 sides. His performances—like a 176* ODI and one of the fastest T20 hundreds by a West Indian—help boost his contract values and brand appeal

Evin Lewis


At age 33 in 2025, Lewis is still in his prime earning years. With further IPL seasons, franchise participation, and testimonial value, his net worth is expected to keep rising—driven by the same aggression that fuels his thunderous starting overs.

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