Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commi sion if you sign up through our links. Read our for more information. This is my favorite starting pitching matchup of the young 2024 season. Tarik Skubal and Nestor Cortes were two pitchers I was exceedingly high on entering the year, and both have exceeded expectations in the early Edwin Diaz Jersey going. That said, Im still much higher on Skubal. Detroits 27-year-old southpaw has evolved into the AL Cy Young frontrunner, posting a 1.72 ERA and 25 percent strikeout-minus-walk rate acro s his first six outings. His four-seam fastball and slider are above-average pitches by the Stuff+ model (113 and 109, respectively). Explore More And his changeup is nearly unhittable, inducing a whopping 27 percent swinging-strike rate while allowing a meager .250 wOBA. Skubal added some extra velocity and ride to his heater last year, so hes used it to generate early high-zone strikes. After getting ahead in the count, he generates low-zone whiffs with his secondaries. His stuff and pitch mix is proving impo sible to break. Nestor Cortes Getty Images Cortes is an excellent pitcher, but projection systems place his season-long ERA and FIP around 4.00 while projecting Skubal in the low 3.00s, giving the Tigers a nearly run-sized advantage on the mound. The Yankees have the offensive advantage (114 wRC+ to 92), but its le s pronounced in a lefty-against-lefty matchup (100 wRC+ to 95). Its also worth mentioning that Skubal faced the Yankees last August, pitching six two-run frames with nine strikeouts. The Yankees also have the better bullpen, but its hard to discount Detroits 2.80 reliever ERA. Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting Read about the Learn all about Jason Foley, Alex Faedo, Shelby Miller, Alex Lange and Andrew Chafin have stepped up for the 18-14 Kitties. Ultimately, the Tigers are an elite team with Skubal on the mound, hence their 5-1 record in his starts this season. The play: Tigers, +105 ( ) Jose Reyes Jersey