Tarik Skubal pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning, and Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Friday night in the opener of a weekend series between two of the majors’ best teams. Skubal (6-2) allowed eight hits,

The Tigers lead the American League. The Cubs lead the National League. A Friday night and, aside from hazy skies, the weather in Detroit was flawless. And arguably the best pitcher in the world, Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, was taking the bump for Detroit.

In the first, the Cubs went 1-2-3. Within those three outs, Skubal struck out Seiya Suzuki for his 100th strikeout of the season. The Tigers went down in order in the bottom of the first.