Tarik Skubal is headed back to Detroit, and the visit is shaping up to be a meaningful one.
The two-time Cy Young winner, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending the first six-and-a-half seasons of his Major League career with the Tigers, said he would like nothing more than to finish his career where it started. On Barstool’s Pardon My Take podcast, Skubal made his feelings plain: “I would love to play my whole career in Detroit.
I would love to. And hopefully those negotiations can pick back up in November.
Hopefully they're involved with everything. I would love to return.”
For now, though, the next chapter brings him back to Comerica Park before any long-term reunion is on the table. In the final series of August, from Aug. 28-30, the Dodgers will face the Tigers in Detroit, and Skubal’s spot in the rotation gives him a strong chance to take the ball in one of those games.
“I don’t know what to expect or if I’m going to start there,” Skubal told The California Post. “I’m sure it’ll be emotional.
I’m sure it’ll be a ton of fun, too, because I love all those guys. I’ve been competing with them for so long, it’ll be new to compete against them.
Baseball’s the game. You gotta keep the game the game, and I look forward to it no matter how it spins out.”
Skubal said he expects the moment to carry some weight, especially because it would be his first time facing the Tigers as a visitor. He also wanted Detroit fans to know how he views his time there.
“I think what happened is just the business of baseball,” he said. “If anything, I’ve hopefully made myself clear that I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Detroit. I’ve said that multiple times.”
The two teams have gone in opposite directions since the trade. Detroit has hung around in the crowded but weak American League wild-card race and is tied for the third and final spot. Los Angeles, meanwhile, has struggled since the deal, particularly against stronger opponents.
On the mound, Skubal has been trending up with each start in Dodger blue. In three outings since the trade, he has logged 17 innings with a 3.18 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
He should get at least one more start before that Detroit trip arrives, and if the rotation lines up the way it could, the stage is set for an important game and a pretty emotional return for the left-hander.
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