On his way to becoming one of baseball's best pitchers, Detroit's unquestioned ace and the AL's next Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal crossed paths with a veteran pitcher — another lefty — who took him under his wing.

I don't write the script,” Matthew Boyd said, “but the person who does is really good at it.” Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize vs. Boyd in friends to foes.

CLEVELAND — Baseball has a way. This game can loosen ends and tie them back together. It can create storylines, dismantle them, and then bring a plot full circle. The sport unites and divides and connects again.