Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal hopes to 'get used to' big crowds at home in unexpected start
NEW YORK — Tarik Skubal wasn't supposed to start Friday.
The 27-year-old was supposed to start Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets, settle into his living situation on Thursday's off day and then enjoy Friday's home opener at Comerica Park from the dugout. His schedule was wrecked by Mother Nature, in the best way possible.
Skubal will now start Friday's home opener against the Oakland Athletics.
"It's a holiday in Detroit," manager A.J. Hinch said. "Our fans show up. It's a party. Going in, we didn't think Tarik was going to be the pitcher, so the fact that it's worked out that way is pretty awesome. It's an awesome day in Detroit when it's Opening Day."
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Skubal is the ace of the pitching staff and an American League Cy Young candidate.
He dominated in his first-ever Opening Day start March 28 in a 1-0 win over the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field, throwing six scoreless innings with zero walks and six strikeouts. His next start was pushed from Wednesday to Friday after back-to-back games were rained out in New York, forcing a doubleheader Thursday — and the promotion of right-hander Matt Manning as the 27th player to start one of the games.
"I'm excited," Skubal said when asked about his expectations for Friday's sold-out crowd. "Hopefully, there are a lot of games with that atmosphere this year. Get used to it early and often is kind of what the hope is, right?"
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Not much has changed in Skubal's throwing schedule.
He just had to throw two bullpens instead of one bullpen between starts.
As for the scouting report, Skubal has already been studying for the Athletics after learning his start would be pushed back. He typically needs one or two days to prepare his attack plan for an opposing team.
"It's not like this is the first time it's ever happened," Skubal said, "but it just so happens to be the first home game of the year. But I don't think that matters. Our scouting report is out way early, too. I can look at my next start if I wanted to, the one I'm projected after the A's, so it's not a big deal. They do a great job in that aspect."
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The only downside of Skubal's new schedule is not getting the off-day Thursday to unpack his bags at his place in Michigan. His wife, Jessica, and 5-month-old son, Kasen, have been holding down the fort since visiting him for his Opening Day start in Chicago.
Skubal lives in Arizona in the offseason and Florida in spring training. He thanked his wife for setting up the family home in Michigan for the upcoming season.
"I think it's already all done," Skubal said. "My wife is awesome. I was just going to move in and bring my suitcase. Now, my suitcase is going to be on the plane, and I'll get it the next day. Toiletries are the only thing I'm going to be missing. I'll borrow a toothbrush, that's about it. If they have them here, I might just take one for the road."
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Although the home opener is sold out, there are still tickets for the games Saturday and Sunday against the Athletics. The tickets for Saturday's game are going quickly, but there are plenty of tickets available for Sunday's game.
Former Michigan running back Blake Corum is throwing out the first pitch before Sunday's game after Lions right tackle Penei Sewell throws Friday's first pitch.
Right-handers Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty are lined up to start Saturday and Sunday, respectively, against the Athletics, but before that happens, all eyes will be on Skubal's performance in Friday's home opener.
"Opening Day is probably the most nervous he's ever been," Hinch said. "That experience is probably better than any other experience, but right now, our guys just want to play. They don't really care where or in front of how many or apparently how many times."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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Next up: Athletics
Matchup: Tigers (5-1) vs. Oakland (1-6), opener of three-game series.
First pitch: 1:10 p.m. Friday; Comerica Park, Detroit.
TV/radio: Bally Sports Detroit, Channel 2 in Detroit; WXYT-FM (97.1).
Probable pitchers: Tigers — LHP Tarik Skubal (1-0, 0.00 ERA); Athletics — LHP JP Sears (0-1, 12.27 ERA).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal excited for Opening Day start at home
