Tarik Skubal wants to go back in time and fix his past mistakes. Wouldn’t that be great if all of us could do that? No regrets and life would be perfect. But it isn’t, is it? And just like that, the Tigers’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the AL Division Series which certainly leaves a heavyweight in the air.

They had just wrapped up a remarkable season, one filled with surprises and triumphs that saw them defy expectations. The Tigers were tantalizingly close that night, just seven outs away from sealing the victory. In Cleveland, they had opportunities early but then came the turning point: Skubal’s fifth-inning grand slam. That moment shifted the momentum and left a bitter taste. 

Tarik Skubal’s wish to change just one thing from the past

It’s those small margins in baseball that can haunt you—the chances taken and missed. The Tigers had the potential to keep their run alive, but that grand slam was a gut punch. “Just one pitch,” Skubal said, according to the New York Times. “It’s one pitch. I’d love to have it back.” Those final two games were tough for the Tigers. Going just 2-for-23 with runners in scoring position is a statistic that really tells the story of missed opportunities. In Game 5 at Progressive Field, their struggles at the plate were even more pronounced, with hitters swinging and missing a staggering 39 times. A total of 16 strikeouts paints a picture of a lineup that just couldn’t find its rhythm.  

Skubal truly embodied the spirit of a top-tier pitcher for most of that outing, fiercely attacking hitters and refusing to back down. But then came the unraveling, starting with an Andrés Giménez single, followed by Steven Kwan’s crafty hit that snuck through. The momentum began to shift with a dribbler and then a hit-by-pitch. After an impressive 17 scoreless postseason innings, the pressure finally got to him. Tarik Skubal made that fateful mistake, delivering a first-pitch, middle-middle sinker to Lane Thomas, who didn’t miss his chance and crushed it.  

Despite an unfavorable outcome, the Tigers had a memorable season

While Saturday’s loss stings, it shouldn’t overshadow the incredible journey the Tigers have had this season. With the youngest group of position players in key roles, they racked up 86 wins—their best performance in eight years. Bringing postseason baseball back to a city that had been waiting for a decade is a huge achievement in itself.

Skubal emerged as a dominant force on the mound, and Riley Greene made his mark as an All-Star. As manager A.J. Hinch has said, once you experience October baseball, you want more of it. The offseason will definitely spark plenty of discussions among Tigers fans and analysts alike. With a pitching staff that’s been a bit of a mix-and-match scenario and an offense that ranked 24th in OPS, there are valid questions.  

Is this season going to mark the beginning of a new era for Tigers baseball or if it was just a fleeting moment? The Tigers can take some solace knowing they had their ace on the mound. Tarik Skubal’s determination and grit were on full display, and they leaned on him for as long as he could deliver. What do you think the key will be for the Tigers to sustain this momentum as they look ahead to next season?