Tarik Skubal wants to represent his country but also feels an obligation to the Detroit Tigers in what could be his final year in the Motor City.
So Skubal announced Monday he intends to make just one start for the United States in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Skubal, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner, just was awarded a record-setting $32 million salary in arbitration for his final year under Tigers team control.
He has helped Detroit reach the postseason two straight years and started its final game in each season — he took a no-decision in the Tigers’ 3-2, 15-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
Skubal is 54-37 with a 3.08 ERA in 766 2/3 innings for the Tigers since joining the majors in 2020.
Tarik Skubal Will Make Only One Start for the United States in the World Baseball Classic
After watching the United States win the gold medal in both men’s and women’s hockey at the Milan/Cortina Olympics, jingoistic U.S. fans were undoubtedly looking ahead to the nation’s upcoming stacked WBC roster — and starting-pitching staff — and dreaming of a win in that event as well.
Yet, Skubal, who is arguably the best pitcher on the United States, decided he would only make one outing for his country before going back to Lakeland, Florida to gear up for the upcoming season.
“I’m trying to do both things — trying to pitch for Team USA, but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,” Skubal told reporters after making his first start at spring training Monday against the Minnesota Twins. “I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.”
Skubal’s one start is expected to be in pool play, which will start March 6 in Houston. Skubal is expected to throw either that day against Brazil, March 7 against Great Britain, March 9 against Mexico or March 10 against Italy before going back to Florida to ramp up for the regular season.
The Tigers will open their season March 26 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Tarik Skubal Will Attend the WBC Final and Cheer for the USA if it is Playing
The United States pitching staff is still loaded, and it will still have the lefty ace from Hayward, California pitching one game in the tournament. Aside from Skubal, the Americans starting staff is slated to feature staff aces Paul Skenes (Pirates), Nolan McLean (Mets), Logan Webb (Giants), Joe Ryan (Twins) and others.
That means the United States’ chances of advancing to the knockout stages are good, especially since the USA has done so in each of the previous five tournaments.
The Americans have reached the final twice in WBC history, winning against Puerto Rico in 2017 before falling to Japan 3-2 in a memorable championship game in Miami in 2023.
If they get back to the final again, Skubal intends to be with his fellow countrymen cheering them on at loanDepot Park on March 17.
“If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys,” Skubal said.
Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal Makes Major Announcement About WBC Availability for Team USA