Detroit Tigers' left-hander Tarik Skubal delivered a stellar performance against the Kansas City Royals, throwing 90 pitches over seven scoreless innings. However, manager A.J. Hinch opted to pull Skubal in favor of right-handed reliever Beau Brieske to start the eighth inning. The Royals capitalized on this decision swiftly, scoring the game’s only run shortly after Skubal's exit, resulting in a 1-0 loss for the Tigers.

Skubal expressed trust in Hinch's decision-making, stating he felt capable of continuing but respected the manager's strategy. The move proved controversial as Brieske struggled against the Royals' hitters, particularly after Skubal had dominated the game. Hinch confirmed that the decision was strategic, taking into account the Royals' lineup and the need to manage Skubal's workload, which has been carefully monitored throughout the season to avoid overexertion.