On Saturday night, Tarik Skubal, known for his pitching excellence with the Detroit Tigers, watched from the dugout during the matchup against the Cleveland Guardians but still made a significant impact. While conversing with the game announcers, Skubal confidently predicted a big hit, and shortly after, Spencer Torkelson launched a solo home run in the second inning off Logan Allen. This was the lone run in a tightly contested 1-0 win for Detroit.
The moment was electrified by Skubal’s enthusiastic call during the live broadcast, demonstrating his deep engagement with the game even when off the mound.
“Come on… bang… bang,” Skubal exclaimed while mic’d up.
The announcers noted Skubal’s impressive ability to anticipate home runs, praising his perfect track record in making these calls when in the dugout.
“He’s got a hundred percent track record,” one announcer said.
Following Torkelson’s milestone 20th homer of the season, the announcer praised the moment as one of the best dugout calls heard in years, crediting Skubal directly.
“That was as good of a call as we’ve heard from a dugout in years,” the announcer added.
Tarik Skubal’s Stellar Season Keeps Him in All-Star Contention
Tarik Skubal’s exceptional form this season strengthens his standing as a strong candidate to start the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Over 17 starts, he has maintained a low 2.15 ERA across 109 innings, compiling a 10-2 record and striking out 138 batters. His WHIP has improved to a career-best 0.83, reflecting his dominance on the mound.
One highlight came on June 30, when Skubal delivered seven shutout innings while striking out 13 batters and allowing just one hit. His strikeout-to-walk ratio has dramatically increased to 9.9 this year from 6.5 last season, underscoring his control and effectiveness.
Skubal’s Tigers teammates—Riley Greene, Javier Baez, and Gleyber Torres—have already earned spots as starters for the All-Star Game set for July 15 in Atlanta.
Skubal faces competition for the starting pitcher role from Houston Astros’ Hunter Brown, Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet, Texas Rangers’ Jacob deGrom, and New York Yankees’ Max Fried. The official roster will be announced Sunday evening, and even if Skubal does not start, he is expected to be named as a reserve on the roster.
Impact on the Tigers and Season Outlook
This 1-0 victory, sparked by Skubal’s dugout call and Torkelson’s power at the plate, highlights the synergy within the Tigers squad this season. Skubal’s pitching dominance not only fuels his All-Star aspirations but also boosts the team’s competitive edge as they push toward postseason goals.
His ability to stay engaged and contribute even when off the mound speaks to his passion and determination. As the season progresses, Skubal’s performances, combined with contributions from key teammates, position Detroit to make a strong run in the league.