Paul Skenes chases the Cy Young, but Tarik Skubal runs the show in MLB

In MLB this season, pitching rules everything. And two names have become synonymous with dominance on the mound. Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. Skubal, the lefty ace of the Detroit Tigers, seems to be writing his own legend. Meanwhile, Skenes, the right-hander from the Pittsburgh Pirates, continues to prove his meteoric rise was no fluke. But as the 2025 campaign hits its stride, Tarik Skubal has clearly taken the lead.

Recently, Tarik Skubal made another statement with seven scoreless innings and ten strikeouts against the Houston Astros. He didn’t get the win, but his performance was so commanding that he became the first pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts this season—leaving Paul Skenes trailing. According to Marca, Skubal landed 85% of his pitches for strikes and generated a 60% whiff rate with his changeup. Those numbers speak to a nearly untouchable arsenal.

MLB’s current leader

Tarik Skubal doesn’t just lead MLB in WHIP (0.87); he also ranks among the best in ERA (2.32) and opponent batting average (.197). His walk rate per nine innings (1.41) is the lowest in the majors, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.0) puts him ahead of names like Sonny Gray. If he keeps this pace, Skubal could become the first American League pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards since Pedro Martínez in 1999 and 2000.

 

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On the other side, Paul Skenes remains a towering presence in the National League. At just 23 years old, he’s been named the All-Star Game starter for the second straight year, becoming the youngest ever to do so. His aggressive style, explosive fastball, and ability to attack the zone from pitch one have made him the new face of Pittsburgh’s rotation. According to ESPN, Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend throws a first-pitch strike in over 70% of his matchups, placing him among the most assertive pitchers in the league.

Skenes vs. Skubal

Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal faced off symbolically at the 2025 All-Star Game, with Skubal representing the American League and Skenes the National. The duel was brief, but it served as a preview of what could become a generational rivalry.

Tarik Skubal lowers his AL-best ERA to 2.32 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/l3sKrJ7zPm

— MLB (@MLB) August 20, 2025

For now, the throne seems occupied. Tarik Skubal dominates not just with numbers, but with presence. As one teammate told ESPN, “When he’s pitching, the defense almost gets bored.” And while Paul Skenes remains firmly in the Cy Young conversation in the National League, the Detroit lefty is building something bigger. Still, Skenes is close behind—and with fan support and constant spotlight, he’s not going anywhere.