During the fourth inning of Game 1 of the Detroit Tigers -Cleveland Guardians wild-card series , an ESPN reporter asked Tigers manager A.J. Hinch when he might consider taking Tarik Skubal out of the game .

“I hope never,” Hinch said.

Why would he? The way Skubal pitched Tuesday, Sept. 30, you want to leave him on the mound overnight and come back tomorrow to keep going.

Fourteen strikeouts? In 7⅔ innings? Almost half the batters Skubal faced went down swinging or looking, including 11 of the last 15 he faced. Heck, he was still throwing 100 mph shortly before he left the field.

Losing streak? Division lead? Nobody cares. Just like that, it’s a whole new season. Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.

One, won. More Albome: Mitch Albom: Tigers fans

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