Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner and one of baseball’s top pitchers, recently revealed his preference when pitching in crucial moments. During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Movement, Skubal was asked which batter he would rather face with the game on the line: Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge.
Skubal responded by choosing Ohtani, citing the left-handed advantage, though he emphasized the difficulty of facing either player.
“I would say Ohtani because he’s left-handed,”
Skubal said.
“But that’s a pick your poison situation. You don’t want either of those guys in there.”
—Tarik Skubal, Pitcher
Pitching Records Against Judge and Ohtani
Skubal has faced Aaron Judge six times, during which he struck out the slugger seven times but also allowed seven hits, including two home runs. His encounters with Shohei Ohtani are fewer, only three times—twice against the Dodgers and once against the Angels—with one strikeout and one hit conceded. This shows the challenge he faces when pitching to two of the league’s most formidable hitters.
The interview took place during a visit to Shinola’s factory, where Skubal learned about the craft of watchmaking while participating in a “This or That” question game with Titus Hayes, the retail company’s Service Center Manager.
Choosing Between Tigers Prospects Max Clark and Riley Greene
Skubal also answered questions beyond the Ohtani-Judge matchup. When asked to choose between Max Clark and Riley Greene, two promising Tigers outfielders, Skubal did not hesitate. Max Clark was the team’s third pick in the 2023 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB draft but has yet to make his major league debut. Riley Greene, drafted in 2019, debuted in 2022 and earned All-Star honors in 2024, delivering an impressive performance with 19 home runs so far in 2025.
“Riley Green,” Tarik Skubal said. “Green is my current teammate too, so can’t say anything bad about him.” —Tarik Skubal, Pitcher
Insights Into Skubal’s Pitching Style and Preferences
Regarding his pitching arsenal, Skubal favors the fastball over the changeup and prefers using the slider instead of the curveball. When posed with the choice between receiving a loud ovation at Comerica Park or silencing the Yankees fans at Yankee Stadium, Skubal preferred the warm support from his home crowd.
Skubal highlighted his competitive approach by stating his preference for pitching shutout games over striking out fifteen batters in just six innings. He also shared his tolerance for giving up solo home runs but expressed greater dislike for allowing walks to opponents, underlining his focus on control and run prevention.
Why Skubal’s Preference Matters for Future Matchups
As one of baseball’s elite pitchers, Skubal’s insights into facing hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge offer a glimpse into the strategic mindset of top-level competition. His choice highlights the nuanced challenges pitchers face when dealing with powerful hitters positioned differently in the batter’s box. Understanding these preferences can influence how pitch sequences are planned in critical situations.
With Skubal continuing to anchor the Detroit Tigers’ rotation, fans and analysts alike will watch closely how these matchups unfold, especially as players like Ohtani and Judge maintain their dominance in the American League spotlight.