"When a team is going through adversity, you're going to see what the team is made of," Tarik Skubal said after the Detroit Tigers' 12th loss in 13 games.
Reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal spent three days on the paternity list awaiting the birth of his second child. Although his wife had not yet given birth, Skubal returned to the Detroit Tigers after reaching the maximum time MLB allows for players on paternity leave.
The baby hadn't arrived yet, but Skubal delivered.
The ace of the Tigers dominated once again, completing six scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, July 26, at Comerica Park.
"I mean, that's my personal life," Skubal said after the Tigers' 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays. "My job today was to go out there and complete and do my best at separating those things. To go out there and compete and put our team in a position to win, that's what I was trying to do today."
Skubal allowed five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in his 96-pitch performance. The 28-year-old stranded seven runners in his final three innings, including an escape of the bases loaded with one out in the sixth.
"He was kind of vintage Tarik Skubal tonight," manager A.J. Hinch said after Saturday's loss. "From the get-go, outside of his presence, it looked like he hasn't had a disruption to his routine at all. He was able to lock in."
The team let Skubal down.
There were superb defensive plays from catcher Jake Rogers and center fielder Matt Vierling, but the Tigers collected just two hits (both from Rogers) and one walk (from Colt Keith), scoring their lone run in garbage time. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays scored all six of their six runs in the eighth and ninth innings, sparked by Bo Bichette's go-ahead single off right-handed reliever Will Vest in the eighth.
Just like that, the Tigers (60-46) have lost six games in a row — and 12 of their last 13 games.
"People probably don't want to hear this, but it's part of the game," Skubal said. "We're going to be better for it. Whenever the tides turn, we'll be better for it."
This stretch dates back to July 9.
Since then, the Tigers have been outscored 89-33 over 13 games. Over that span, they rank last among the 30 MLB teams in OPS (.569) and ERA (6.83). Before the skid, through 93 games, the Tigers ranked sixth in OPS (.751) and third in ERA (3.46).
"This is not a team that has had trouble overcoming things," Hinch said. "It's just, it's been brutal. I think our guys are feeling it. We're beat up, and we should be. We've had a brutal stretch here. It can change tomorrow."
Some fans are losing faith in the Tigers.
Skubal remains confident.
"I get to see all the work that goes on behind the scenes," Skubal said. "It's not because of lack of effort or trying or give a (expletive) — anything like that. Our team really cares, each and every day. The one thing I can always trust is preparation. It's just not going our way right now."
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The Tigers have just one win since July 9 — but they still lead the AL Central by seven games over the Cleveland Guardians. Just 18 days ago, the lead was 14 games in the division. During the steep slide, the Tigers have played 13 games and the Guardians have played 14 games. After the Guardians, the Kansas City Royals are 8½ games back and the Minnesota Twins are nine games back.
There are 56 games remaining.
Skubal can't explain the out-of-nowhere slump.
"I don't know if I can put my finger on one thing," Skubal said. "We're just not playing the game of baseball in the way we know how to play and in the way we're capable of playing. I think it's pretty much that simple."
The Tigers can't figure out how to fix it, especially the offensive struggles.
"I wish I knew. I'd tell every guy in here," Rogers said after Saturday's loss. "We're in a tough stretch. We got to be better. I don't know if we're being too aggressive or not too aggressive. We're in limbo now."
The Tigers point to the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for proof that even the best teams endure a rough stretch. The Dodgers recently lost 10 of 12 games, then bounced back by winning three of their next five.
Perhaps the Tigers will respond the same way.
"When a team is going through adversity, you're going to see what the team is made of," Skubal said. "Obviously, we're going through some adversity right now. It's going to make us a better team, a tougher team, a tougher out coming down the stretch of the season. I like our odds against anybody."
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tarik Skubal remains confident in Detroit Tigers despite losses
Category: Baseball
