DETROIT -- When the Detroit Tigers clinched a berth in the playoffs on Friday night, it also guaranteed something else: Ace left-hander Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of the Wild Series on Tuesday. The Tigers still don’t know who they’ll play in the first round of the playoffs, but there’s no doubt about who will be on the mound.

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers earned an AL wild card berth on Friday night, ending a decade-long postseason drought. Detroit clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, who set a modern major league record with their 121st loss.

The improbable became reality on Friday night, as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago White Sox, 4-1, to clinch an American League wild card berth and punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time in a decade.

Detroit clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, who set a modern major league record with their 121st loss. The Tigers have been on a tear, winning six straight and 10 of 11 to surge into the playoffs and eliminate the defending AL Central champion Minnesota Twins from the race.

Hall of Famer Jim Kaat sees Tarik Skubal as real deal that changed Tigers confidence and made them a playoff contender.

Their opponent is yet to be determined, but it almost doesn’t matter with Skubal on the mound. They’ll have the advantage in Game 1 no matter what.

Left-hander Tarik Skubal will pitch Sunday against the Chicago White Sox if the Detroit Tigers need a win to clinch a spot in the postseason.