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?

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

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.

That also means there's a foundation of what could be a great Cy Young case already in place, but there's also plenty of time for things to change, whether it's someone who doesn't appear to be a factor getting hot (Jake Arrieta's 2015 run of insanity started on June 21) or someone who looks to be in the race either falling apart or suffering an injury.

Tarik Skubal's 12 starts dating from April 8 are historically surgical. The latest came Thursday night in Baltimore.

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