LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 02: Tarik Skubal of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 02, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Left-hander, Tarik Skubal is still getting acclimated to pitching for the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Skubal, 29, was traded by the Detroit Tigers to Los Angeles one day before the August 3 Major League Baseball Trade deadline.
Skubal is now pitching in a totally new environment, with a new team, in a new league.
It isn’t just “any” team, it’s the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Tigers received prospect outfielder Zyhir Hope, as well as prospect right-handed pitchers Brady Smith, and River Ryan in return for Skubal.
HARTFORD, CT – AUGUST 16: Zyhir Hope #36 of the Erie SeaWolves gets a high five during the game between the Erie SeaWolves and the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park on Sunday, August 16, 2026 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Ryan Desantis/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
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Following the trade, mlbpipeline.com listed Zyhir as the No. 2 Tigers prospect, Ryan as the No. 4 Tigers prospect, and Smith as the No. 10 Tigers prospects.
Skubal, 6-3, 240 pounds is a strong, athletic guy.
Skubal has won Cy Young Awards with the Tigers in 2024, and again in 2025. He was also an American League All Star both those years.
Skubal prevents runs. He’s that good. The Los Angeles Dodgers are fortunate to have a pitcher of his caliber as they chase their next World Series.
Skubal, who pitched parts of seven seasons for the Tigers, is pitching on the 1-year, $32 Million contract he signed with Detroit.
Skubal left Detroit with a 61-42 record, a 3.04 ERA, and 1.01 WHIP in 150 starts, covering 863.1 innings pitched.
Skubal can become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 World Series. Unless, of course, the Dodgers choose to offer him a contract extension.
Ongoing Major League Baseball Basic Agreement discussions between the Major League Players Association and Major League Baseball may dictate the status of Skubal’s future.
If the two sides reach an impasse in their Basic Agreement negotiations, MLB players may elect to lock out the players, leaving the pending season in limbo until an agreement is reached.
Such an occurrence could stall contract extension talks for Skubal.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
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Los Angeles Dodgers Tarik Skubal’s First Three Dodgers Starts:
Since being traded, Skubal has made three starts for the Dodgers.
After his first start, Skubal told mlb.com, “I’d be lying (if I said) I didn’t feel nerves.” Well, he’s human.
He has a record of 1-2, and has probably deserved a better fate than that record indicates.
Here are the lines in each of his three starts, according to baseball reference.com:
August 4, 2026 at Chicago Cubs=6 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 6 strikeouts, 2 walks in 85 pitches thrown. The Dodgers lost the game, 5-1. Skubal took the loss.
August 10, 2026 at home against the Kansas City Royals=5 innings, 4 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 6 strikeouts, 1 walk, 95 pitches thrown. The Dodgers won the game, 6-5. Skubal got the win.
August 16, 2026 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers=6 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, (one earned), 7 strikeouts, 2 walks, 109 pitches thrown. The Dodgers lost the game, 6-2.
Skubal has yielded two home runs with the Dodgers in those three games. For the season, he has given up 12 homers, in 19 starts.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 25: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Athletics in the second inning at Sutter Health Park on August 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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