HOUSTON — Let’s talk about those nerves. Tarik Skubal experienced them. More than he ever had. At least since his first game in the majors.

This reminds us of something important: the top pitcher in the American League isn’t a machine. He just pitches like one. And he demonstrated that for six thrilling innings on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros in the AL wild-card playoff series.

It’s no wonder baseball fans liken the AL Cy Young Award frontrunner to a robot; left-handed pitchers aren’t expected to throw 100 mph in the sixth inning.

Then he follows that up with a changeup that fools the batter into swinging at air. And yes, Skubal did that, too.

In the fourth inning, to be specific, with a couple of runners on base and the pressure rising in a stadium filled with playoff veterans who know how to hit even the most formidable pitchers.

Victor Caratini stood at the plate. He’d already gotten a hit off Skubal in the third. Another hit would increase the urgency on the Tigers, who would face a tough challenge in the next two games to advance to the ALDS.

“That pitch has been huge for me,” Skubal remarked about the changeup. “I owe a lot to the pitching staff.”

Humility may not be necessary for a starting pitcher, but it definitely fosters good relationships in the clubhouse, especially with creative pitching coaches like Chris Fetter. When Fetter offers advice, it’s wise to pay attention.

Listening to the catcher is important too. For the most part, Skubal does just that. Except for one moment in the second inning when he disregarded Jake Rogers’ call and threw a changeup, resulting in a comebacker that collided with his glove hand from Yainer Diaz.

“I learned my lesson,” Skubal admitted.

After that, he didn’t shake off Rogers again. Not that it’s something he regularly does. The two are in perfect sync, much like any top pitcher with their catcher. The catcher knows the pitcher’s abilities as well as the hitters’ behaviors.

“We kind of know he has 100 in his back pocket,” said Rogers. “That makes everything a bit trickier to hit.”

That said, even major leaguers can hit any pitch if they see it coming. Rogers aimed to set up Diaz for the changeup to get him to swing at a pitch outside the zone.

“Being able to throw inside (with fastballs) is huge these days,” he added. “No one wants to get hit, and we’re not trying to hit anyone, but it opens up so many opportunities.”

By pitching closely inside, batters hesitate. Then, when they adjust, the ball is thrown outside.

Skubal even showed his ability to play through hamstring cramps in the sixth; A.J. Hinch, the team manager, felt a moment of panic as he rushed to the mound.

“What’s wrong with this guy?” Hinch wondered as he approached.

Talk about a scare.

“I was relieved when I heard it was just a cramp,” he said.

When you combine a fierce competitive nature with a fastball that is both powerful and unpredictable, a sweeping curve, and a sharp mind fully in tune with a seasoned catcher, you get a pitcher capable of delivering multiple shutout innings during playoff matches. Especially on the road, against a dominant team.

“He’s a strategist on the mound,” Hinch recognized.

But that description doesn’t capture the subtleties that have put Skubal on the map.

Hinch emphasized, “He’s armed with an arsenal. He’s the perfect player to lead a pitching rotation.”

Moreover, even as he garners more attention and admiration, he continues to put in the effort. Hinch mentioned, “I checked for him before coming here and saw him doing arm workouts with our training crew.”

What Hinch cherishes almost as much as winning is witnessing his players receive the recognition they deserve — to truly be appreciated.

The cheers for a critical out? The excitement after striking out a key player? Or escaping a tough spot? Hinch’s team sees that frequently, and so do Tigers supporters.

“I’m glad the baseball world gets to witness that on this grand stage,” Hinch expressed, “because it’s genuine and plays a significant role in our team dynamic.”

So no, he isn’t a robot. He experiences physical pain just like everyone else. He also feels happiness. Interestingly, he also feels nervousness.

Then, as the game began, he stepped onto the field. Started warming up. The national anthem raised his heart rate again. Finally, the walk to the mound in the bottom of the first inning.

“Feeling nervous is a good thing because it shows you care,” he concluded. “Once I threw my first pitch, all of that faded away.”

And it did. He didn’t hold back.

Instead, he took a breath. Then another. And again. He executed his pitches perfectly, stifling the Astros.

With some heat. Some changeups. A few fist-pumps. And some ecstatic yells.

“I perform at my peak,” he stated.