Tarik Skubal delivered a masterful pitching performance to help the Detroit Tigers claim a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians while the Chicago Cubs edged the San Diego Padres 3-1 as Major League Baseball’s playoffs got under way on Tuesday.

Tigers ace Skubal struck out a career-high 14 batters to give Detroit a crucial 1-0 lead in their best-of-three American League wild card series in Cleveland.

Skubal gave up just three hits and one run across 7.2 innings before reliever Will Vest was brought into bag the last four outs.

“Tarik set an incredible tone for us,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said after the victory at Progressive Field.

“He’s been incredible for us all season, but what a performance at the biggest moments in the biggest stage to get us in a great position to win the gam

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