The Athletics start a challenging nine-game road trip this week, beginning with a difficult series against the Detroit Tigers. The spotlight is on Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who will take the mound Tuesday in the first game of the three-game set in Detroit. Skubal’s dominance on the mound presents a major test for the Athletics’ hitters early in their journey.
Skubal’s Strong Performance Despite Early Setbacks
Though he lost his first two starts this season, Skubal has quickly regained form, pitching even more effectively than in his previous season when he was named the American League Cy Young Award winner. He currently holds an 8-2 record with a 2.06 earned run average (ERA), and in his last 13 appearances, he has gone 8-0 with five no-decisions. Over his most recent five outings, he has allowed only three runs over 36 1/3 innings pitched.
While his strikeout totals have been moderate in June, standing at six per game in each of his last three starts, he has still been the winning pitcher each time. His resilience on the mound remains a major strength for the Tigers.
Challenges and Conditions Impact Skubal’s Latest Start
In his latest outing on Thursday, Skubal exhibited some early struggles by walking two batters and facing a bases-loaded situation. This performance came under difficult conditions, involving a rain delay and a damp field. He pitched 5 2/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing two runs during that span.
Responding to the weather, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged the difficulty.
It wasn’t a great day for Tarik to pitch,
Hinch said.
And he certainly gets a pass on that. He won’t give it to himself, but I’ll give it to him. It was nasty to start the game. And it’s not an excuse, he’s not going to want me to make it for him, but that had to play part of it. The heavy drizzle that was going on, the late start.
—A.J. Hinch, Tigers Manager
Under these conditions, Skubal was more cautious with his pitches.
It can impact the stuff that comes out of your hand for sure,
Skubal commented.
Add it just felt like velocity was down, stuff kind of ticked down. It’s not that I wasn’t feeling good, it’s just, I didn’t feel comfortable to kind of let it go.
—Tarik Skubal, Tigers Pitcher
Head-to-Head and Opposing Pitcher Overview
Skubal has maintained a 3-2 record with a 2.60 ERA in eight outings against the Athletics, showing consistent effectiveness against them in past matchups. The Athletics will counter with veteran right-hander Luis Severino, who has struggled with a 2-7 record and 4.42 ERA this season but recently improved performance. Severino limited Kansas City to one run over 7 2/3 innings and held Houston to two runs in five innings despite allowing nine hits.
Historically, Severino has found success facing the Tigers, posting a 5-1 record with a 1.81 ERA over eight appearances.
Athletics Enter Series After Setbacks Against Cleveland
Before hitting the road, the Athletics lost two of three games to the Cleveland Guardians, including a 3-0 shutout on Sunday. Manager Mark Kotsay highlighted the effectiveness of the opposing starter in keeping the Athletics’ bats quiet.
This is a reason Cleveland is good,
Kotsay said.
Their starter kept the ball (in the park). We missed some pitches, but overall, (Guardians starter Slade Cecconi) kept us at bay.
—Mark Kotsay, Athletics Manager
The Athletics also left 10 runners stranded on base throughout the series, illustrating their struggles to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
We just didn’t get anything going until late in the game,
Kotsay added.
Tigers Arrive After Ending Losing Streak
Detroit enters this series following a 9-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, ending a three-game losing streak. The Tigers will look to build on that momentum as they face the Athletics at home with Skubal leading their pitching staff.
Looking Ahead: A Pivotal Stretch for the Athletics
This three-game series in Detroit will test the Athletics’ bats against one of the American League’s best pitchers in Tarik Skubal. Success or failure in this opening series could shape the tone for the team’s entire nine-game road trip. With the Tigers’ ace in prime form and the Athletics needing to rebound after recent losses, the matchups on the mound will be key to the series outcome and the Athletics’ hopes moving forward.