Headline: Tarik Skubal Prepares for Emotional Return to Detroit as Dodgers Face Tigers
ATLANTA — Tarik Skubal is set to confront a whirlwind of emotions as he returns to Detroit on Friday night to pitch against the Tigers, just four weeks after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Skubal aims to focus on his responsibilities with the Dodgers rather than reminiscing about his time with the Tigers at Comerica Park. However, he acknowledged that managing his emotions might prove to be a challenge.
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“We’ll see, right?” Skubal told SI.com on Wednesday. “The whole process was emotional. I have a lot of respect for those guys over there. I’m just going to go play baseball.”
This season, Skubal holds an overall record of 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA. Since his trade on August 1, he has made four starts for the Dodgers, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.38 ERA. His most recent outing marked his first victory for Los Angeles, where the left-hander struck out 11 batters over seven innings, contributing to a 4-3 win against Pittsburgh.
At 29 years old, Skubal debuted in the major leagues with Detroit in 2020 and had not played for any other team prior to the trade that sent him to the reigning World Series champions.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Skubal’s ability to handle the emotional aspects of returning to Detroit.
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“I think, you know, that whole ‘be where your feet are’ adage, I think that’s just who he is,” Roberts stated on Wednesday. “Some people have a hard time letting go, but I think that Tarik is a guy that, wherever he’s at, he’s all in.”
Roberts anticipates that Skubal will strive to engage with his teammates and coaches, a trait he considers valuable. “Like I said, I’ve only known him a short time, but I’m really, really fortunate we got him on our club. Not even just for the pitching, just beyond,” Roberts remarked.
Skubal mentioned that he expects his return to Detroit will be filled with emotions due to his history with the team, especially since he has had less than a month to acclimate to his new environment.
“But at the end of the day, I’ve got to go play baseball,” Skubal said. “I’ve got to compete and do what I do well, what makes me a good pitcher. I’ll probably handle the emotions after.”
The Tigers are likely to start right-hander Drew Anderson (4-5, 4.09 ERA) against Skubal in the first game of their three-game series.
ATLANTA — Tarik Skubal knows he will feel emotions when he makes his return to Detroit on Friday night to pitch against the Tigers only four weeks after he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Skubal says he hopes to focus on representing the Dodgers instead of dwelling on his memories with the Tigers at Comerica Park. He acknowledged it may not be easy to keep his emotions in check.
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“We’ll see, right?” Skubal told SI.com on Wednesday. “The whole process was emotional. I have a lot of respect for those guys over there. I’m just going to go play baseball.”
Overall this season, Skubal is 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA. In four starts for the Dodgers since the Aug. 1 trade, Skubal is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He is coming off his first win for the Dodgers. The left-hander had 11 strikeouts in seven innings in a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Skubal, 29, made his major league debut with Detroit in 2020 and had played for no other team before the trade. The deal sent the two-time defending AL Cy Young winner to the two-time defending World Series champions.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he believes Skubal has the right temperament to handle the emotions which will come with his Detroit homecoming.
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“I think, you know, that whole ‘be where your feet are’ adage, I think that’s just who he is,” Roberts said Wednesday. “Some people have a hard time letting go, but I think that Tarik is a guy that, wherever he’s at, he’s all in.”
Roberts said he expects Skubal “is going to try to engage guys and immerse himself with coaches, with his teammates, the best he can. That’s a good trait. Like I said, I’ve only known him a short time, but I’m really, really fortunate we got him on our club. Not even just for the pitching, just beyond.”
Skubal said he is “sure it will be emotional there just because of the history.” The emotions will be fresh because he has had less than one month to adjust to his new Los Angeles home before making his return to Detroit.
“But at the end of the day, I’ve got to go play baseball,” Skubal said. “I’ve got to compete and do what I do well, what makes me a good pitcher. I’ll probably handle the emotions after.”
The Tigers are expected to have right-hander Drew Anderson (4-5, 4.09 ERA) face Skubal in the opener of the three-game series.
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