Tarik Skubal has cemented his status as one of the top starters in the Majors and the overwhelming favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award this season. He also etched himself into baseball lore with his all-around excellence this season.

Skubal clinched the AL pitching Triple Crown by pacing the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. Skubal led all AL pitchers with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts, becoming the first pitcher to win the Triple Crown since Shane Bieber in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Skubal is the first pitcher to earn the Triple Crown in a full season since 2011, when both Justin Verlander (AL) and Clayton Kershaw (NL) claimed the honor.

“That's pretty cool, to accomplish something like that,” Skubal said. “But what I'm most proud about is that we're in the playoffs. That's more fun than winning a Triple Crown. That's kind of how I feel about it."

Skubal became the 21st pitcher (30th occurrence) to win the pitching Triple Crown since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913. The Tigers left-hander also became the third pitcher in franchise history to win the Triple Crown, joining Verlander (2011) and Hal Newhouser (1945).

Skubal also joined Verlander (2007, 2009-11) and Max Scherzer (2013-14) as the only Detroit pitchers since 2000 to win 18 or more games in a season. Skubal’s 2.39 ERA was the lowest by a Tigers starter (minimum 150 innings) since Mark Fidrych had a 2.34 mark in 1976 (Verlander had a 2.40 ERA in 2011).

"I've gotten some text messages from some people reaching out about the season,” Skubal said about his feat. “In the moment, right now, I'm probably going to brush it to the side. But once the season's over, wherever we end up, then I'll probably be able to sit back and enjoy it a little bit."

It’s been quite the journey for Skubal, who has established himself as a true ace since returning from left flexor tendon surgery on July 4, 2023. Since that time, Skubal ranks first among qualified starting pitchers in ERA (2.51), strikeouts (330), FIP (2.35) and fWAR (9.1)

Skubal likely will not be the only pitcher to win the Triple Crown this year. Atlanta’s Chris Sale is in line to join him as he leads the National League in all three categories, but he could pitch in Monday’s potential Mets-Braves doubleheader (depending on the outcome of Sunday’s games), which means his 2.38 ERA is not yet final. Zack Wheeler is second in the NL with a 2.57 ERA.

If Sale wins the NL Triple Crown, it would mark the fourth time that a pitcher won the Triple Crowns in each league in the same season. The others are:

• 2011: Verlander (Tigers) and Kershaw (Dodgers)
• 1924: Walter Johnson (Washington Nationals) and Dazzy Vance (Brookyln Dodgers)
• 1918: Johnson (Washington Nationals) and Hippo Vaughn (Cubs)

MLB.com's Jason Beck contributed to this story.