CLEVELAND — Tarik Skubal didn't look sharp in the beginning.
His fastball velocity was down, and his command wasn't pinpoint.
The 26-year-old escaped his first two innings, however — surrendering one run in the process — before dominating in his final four innings. He led the Detroit Tigers to a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader at Progressive Field, kickstarting a four-game series.
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The Tigers (55-66) took a three-run lead in the first inning, then let Skubal (and two relievers) keep the Guardians — second place in the American League Central — at bay the rest of the way.