Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal welcomes second child. Here's when his next start is
Baby Skubal is here.
Manager A.J. Hinch relayed the news about the birth, but it's up to Skubal and his wife to announce further details. Back in October 2023, they welcomed their first child, a son named Kasen.
"Baby Skubal arrived," Hinch said before the opener of a three-game series Friday, Aug. 1, against the Philadelphia Phillies. "He was really happy. Everybody is healthy, which is good. He will be here ready to pitch tomorrow."
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As for Skubal's status, the Tigers will send the best pitcher in baseball to the mound Saturday, Aug. 2, against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The 28-year-old already took the three days of paternity leave MLB permits, from July 23-25. He was scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia on Friday in preparation for Saturday's start.
In Saturday's game, Skubal will lead the Tigers into a matchup against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. The showdown between Skubal and Wheeler projects to be one of the best pitching matchups in the 2025 season.
"I still think starting pitching matters," Hinch said, reflecting on the clash of aces in the Skubal-Wheeler matchup. "The best guys stay in the game and show us baseball in the manner in which all of us either grew up, and even some people prefer. It does matter, the pitching matchup, when the schedule can line up two big boys."
After Saturday's start, Skubal is lined up for his second post-baby start Friday, Aug. 8, against the Mike Trout-led Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park.
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Skubal has a 2.09 ERA with 19 walks and 171 strikeouts across 133⅔ innings in 21 starts. The reigning American League Cy Young winer ranks first in the AL with a 2.09 ERA, trailing only Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes (1.83) among all MLB pitchers.
Wheeler, 35, has a 2.56 ERA with 28 walks and a National League-leading 172 strikeouts over 133⅔ innings in 21 starts. In 2024, he finished runner-up to Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale in the NL Cy Young race.
"I think there are probably more interesting matchups than just Cy Young Award candidates that are out there," Hinch said, "but it's good for baseball when two of the best are going to have the ball in their hand in the first inning."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal welcomes baby. Here's his next start
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