Tarik Skubal’s total dominance is putting him in territory few pitchers ever reach — and now, he finds himself on the same statistical level as Clayton Kershaw in an elite category.

The interaction was clearly tongue-in-cheek, but it spotlighted the inevitable negotiations ahead for the Tigers ace.

In a recent survey of 135 anonymous players across 21 teams by The Athletic, Skubal’s game received plenty of praise. “He’s nasty for everybody,” one player said of the lefty. “Everything’s really hard, his changeup’s really good. Hard to pick up. Everything’s kind of funky coming out of all of the stuff he does.”

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has left no doubt he's the best starting pitcher in the National League. While not getting an ounce of help from his teammates, Skenes has put up remarkable numbers when he's been on the bump. So far this season, the 23-year-old righty is 4–6 with a 1.88 ERA.

Tarik Skubal joined elite company alongside Clayton Kershaw after his dominant start against the Baltimore Orioles.

BALTIMORE—Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal is everything you can ask for in a starting pitcher, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday night at Camden Yards. What’s so special about the 28-year-old Skubal?