Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, a strong contender for the American League Cy Young Award, is gearing up for his final start before the All-Star break as the Tigers take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Skubal, with a 10-3 record and a 2.37 ERA, is coming off an impressive performance against the Cincinnati Reds, where he recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts in seven innings, allowing only one run and three hits without issuing a walk.
Skubal’s focus has been on pitching deep into games rather than just racking up strikeouts, and he has managed to reach the seven-inning mark four times this season. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch praised Skubal’s ability to get ahead in the count and generate quick outs, which helps keep his pitch count low. Skubal ranks among the top 10 in several statistical categories in the majors, including a WHIP of .090, which ties him for the league lead among qualified pitchers.
Facing the Dodgers for the first time in his career, Skubal will have his work cut out for him against veteran left-hander James Paxton, who relies more on pitching to contact. Paxton, with a 7-2 record and a 4.24 ERA, is coming off a solid outing against the Milwaukee Brewers after struggling in his previous start against the San Francisco Giants.
Despite Paxton’s admission that he no longer has the same velocity and dominant stuff he once had, he has found ways to adjust his pitching style to remain effective on the mound. With a 3-1 record and a 3.13 ERA in seven career starts against the Tigers, Paxton will look to contain Detroit’s hot-hitting lineup and help the Dodgers snap a four-game losing streak.
Both teams are coming into the series with different momentum, as the Tigers have won six of their last seven games, including a convincing 10-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians. On the other hand, the Dodgers are looking to bounce back from a three-game sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies but still hold a comfortable lead in the NL West.
As the Tigers and Dodgers clash in this interleague matchup, fans can expect an exciting showdown between Skubal’s dominant pitching and Paxton’s veteran experience on the mound. With both teams aiming for success heading into the All-Star break, this series promises to deliver plenty of thrills and highlights for baseball fans to enjoy.