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Tarik Skubal will pitch against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in his first appearance at Comerica Park since the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired him on August 1. The left-hander acknowledged that revisiting his former team after just four weeks will stir powerful emotions, though he aims to compartmentalize his feelings and focus on executing for his new club.
The 29-year-old spent his entire major league career with Detroit before the trade, having made his debut in 2020. Speaking to SI.com on Wednesday, Skubal expressed respect for his former teammates while emphasizing his commitment to the Dodgers. “The whole process was emotional,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for those guys over there. I’m just going to go play baseball.”
Through 12 games this season, Skubal holds an 8-7 record with a 2.91 ERA. Since joining Los Angeles, he is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA over four starts, though he earned his first Dodgers victory on Saturday with 11 strikeouts across seven innings in a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Skubal’s ability to navigate the emotional circumstances. Roberts praised the pitcher’s temperament and focus, saying Skubal will immerse himself with coaches and teammates while remaining fully committed to competition. “Wherever he’s at, he’s all in,” Roberts said Wednesday.
The Tigers will counter with right-hander Drew Anderson, who carries a 4-5 record and 4.09 ERA into the series opener.
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