Detroit's Jackson Jobe struck out eight and allowed three hits and two earned runs over 5⅓ innings against Pittsburgh Friday, offering a glimpse of his potential as a future Tigers ace as Justin Verlander prepares for his final MLB start Saturday.
Jobe returned this season after Tommy John surgery in 2025. In his first MLB appearance in more than 14 months, he threw five shutout innings and allowed one hit against the Giants; in his previous start, he struck out nine over six innings against the White Sox.
The Verlander comparison remains speculative: Jobe was selected third overall in the 2021 draft and entered the 2025 season as baseball's No. 5 overall prospect, but still has substantial development ahead.
