Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal made his highly anticipated return to Detroit on Friday, receiving a mix of cheers and a smattering of boos from the Comerica Park crowd, according to reporting by the Associated Press. It marked his first appearance against his former team since the franchise traded him.
Tarik Skubal’s Reception in Detroit
When the visitors’ lineup and Skubal appeared on the videoboard prior to the first pitch, the majority of the crowd clapped for the two-time Cy Young Award winner while some jeered, according to the Associated Press. The Tigers played a video montage commemorating his seven-season career with the organization, concluding with a message that read, “Thank you, Tarik.” According to the Associated Press, Skubal watched parts of the video while walking from the bullpen toward the Dodgers’ dugout with a white towel around his neck, extending his glove toward his former teammates and patting his chest with his left hand.
According to the Associated Press, the 29-year-old left-hander was drafted by Detroit in the ninth round of the 2018 draft out of Seattle University and spent his entire career with the organization until they traded him earlier in August. In July, Skubal stated his preference to finish the season with the Tigers to compete for a World Series championship. However, the front office chose to deal him before the trade deadline to acquire three minor league prospects rather than risk losing him in free agency.
Pitching Performance Against Former Teammates
Skubal pitched six innings in a 1-all game before a pitching change removed him from the contest, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven batters, according to the Associated Press. He threw 83 pitches, marking his lowest total since his 74-pitch outing on Opening Day in March.
According to the Associated Press, Skubal’s first pitch was briefly delayed due to an issue with his communication device. After throwing a 96-mph fastball for a ball, Gleyber Torres hit his second pitch to center field for a double. Skubal responded by retiring 12 batters—including striking out the side in the third inning—before Eduardo Valencia doubled to lead off the fifth, followed by a two-out triple from Max Clark that broke the scoreless tie.
Team Perspectives on the Matchup
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch noted that prior familiarity did not necessarily translate to immediate success at the plate against the star pitcher. “If anybody knows him, it’s us,” Hinch said, according to the Associated Press. “You can know everything about a pitcher, that doesn’t make it easy to hit.”
Teammate reactions underscored the unusual nature of the matchup. “It’s weird to see him on the other side,” Tigers player Kevin McGonigle said before the game, as reported by the Associated Press.
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