Skubal Looks to Rebound as Tigers Continue Series Against Yankees
After a dominant 2024 campaign in which he posted an 18-4 record over 31 starts and earned the American League Cy Young Award, Tarik Skubal is off to a slower start this season. The Tigers’ ace is 0-2 entering his third outing, which comes Tuesday afternoon as Detroit hosts the New York Yankees.
In his most recent start against the Seattle Mariners, Skubal surrendered three runs on six hits across 5 2/3 innings. He finished strong, however, striking out four of his eight total batters over the final two frames.
“I thought it was more about getting his fastball to the glove side and making his pitches,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He was yanking some changeups to right-handers and got burned with that a bit. But once he locked in, he was really good.”
Skubal’s fastball topped out at 97 mph as he struck out the side in the fifth. According to him, the adjustment was more mental than mechanical.
“It’s just a mental thing,” Skubal said. “It’s about staying behind the ball and driving it through instead of letting your body leak and leaving pitches over the plate.”
Skubal faced the Yankees twice last year, earning no-decisions in both matchups. On May 5, he struck out 12 while allowing two runs over six innings. In an August 18 rematch, he held New York to one run and fanned five over six frames. In total, he’s 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees.
Carlos Carrasco (1-0, 7.36 ERA) will get the start for New York. The 38-year-old right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings his last time out against the Arizona Diamondbacks. After beginning the year on a minor league deal, Carrasco pitched well enough in spring training to secure a spot in the Yankees’ rotation.
Carrasco struggled last season in Cleveland, going 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA across 21 starts. He holds a 12-10 career record and 3.78 ERA in 32 outings (26 starts) against Detroit.
The Tigers extended their winning streak to four games on Monday with a 6-2 win in the series opener. Following a late surge into the 2024 postseason and a hot start this year, Detroit is playing with confidence.
“I don’t think we need a measuring stick,” Hinch said. “We believe we can play with anybody. I get the star power the Yankees bring — they’re good. But so are we.”
Cold weather forced the series to shift from night games to afternoon starts. Even during the day, the conditions were less than ideal.
“Guys were in ski masks, blowing on their hands, trying to stay warm,” Hinch noted. “The more positive plays you made, the better you felt. For most of the game, we were that team.”
The Yankees managed just one extra-base hit and only one earned run in the loss.
“Up and down the lineup, we had good at-bats,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We just missed a few pitches. That’s how hitting goes sometimes.”
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