"Tarik Skubal is not a nice guy" - 3x All-Star explains why Paul Skenes, Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler & Corbin Burnes rank behind Tigers ace in his top 5

Dan Plesac, the former All-Star pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, ranked Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal No. 1 on his list of the top 5 pitchers in the MLB. Skubal is the frontrunner for the 2024 AL Cy Young Award, with a 16-4 record, a 2.51 ERA and 201 strikeouts this season.

As for the other spots on the list, he ranked his former number one — Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes — at number five, with Pittsburgh Pirates prodigy Paul Skenes at four. Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler and Atlanta Braves lefty Chris Sale are number three and two respectively.

Talking to MLB Network, Plesac explained why he thinks Skubal is the best pitcher in the game right now.

"[2:30] This guy (Tarik Skubal)'s stuff right now is elite. 95-98 miles an hour, good hard cutter, great changeup that has gotten better as the season has gone on. He's reliable, he's dependable-what I like about him."

"He pitches with an edge, he's not a nice guy. He's not trying to be friendly when he's out there on that mound, he gets it. When he's standing on the bump, he's all business," Plesac added.

Tarik Skubal wins fifth game in a row as Tigers narrowly beat Red Sox

The Detroit Tigers won 2-1 against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park on Saturday as they leveled the series at one apiece. After initially trailing in the first inning, the home side replied with two runs in the second and went on to hold the visitors scoreless in the next seven innings to win the low-scoring clash. The Tigers eventually went on to win the third game and clinched the series the following day.

Tyler Holton (L) and Tarik Skubal (R) celebrate victory against the Boston Red Sox (image credit: getty)

Tarik Skubal recorded his latest win with another quality start as he struck out eight and only gave up a single run in the game. With 16 wins, Skubal is currently tied with Chris Sale for the pitcher with the most wins in the major leagues.

After the series victory against the Red Sox, the Tigers lost the first two games of their next series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park and will look to avoid getting swept on Thursday. As for Skubal, his next start will come against the Oakland Athletics in the series opener at Oakland Coliseum on Friday.