The Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal welcome the Houston Astros to Detroit for a mid-August series that's big for both teams.
With the Astros looking to stave off the Seattle Mariners and the Tigers looking to further increase their seeding in the AL, it's a big series for both organizations. Skubal is on the mound in game two, and so is the Astros ace, Hunter Brown.
Ahead of the pivotal matchup, in a piece from Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, Skubal made a strange admission about facing elite pitchers, including Brown.
Skubal's Opinion on Facing Fellow Aces
While the baseball world is excited for a pitcher's duel, for Skubal, the pitcher involved in such a duel, he's not as much of a fan as those watching said duel.
"Really good pitching, I really don't like to pitch against it," Skubal said. "I'd rather sit in the dugout and watch the guys go because when I'm going against (it), I'm worried about how many outs are in the inning. I'm not really worrying about how they're getting it done."
This admission from Skubal points towards how the Tigers' ace is not a fan of having to pitch against other aces around baseball. Skubal's matchup against Brown qualifies as such an outing he isn't looking forward to.
MORE: Tigers' Chris Paddack 'destroyed' by Twins despite weak contact
Brown has a 2.45 ERA and a 168 ERA+, just behind Skubal's 2.43 ERA and 172 ERA+. Facing such a dominant pitcher won't be easy for the Tigers' lineup, but for the fans, it's an exciting pitchers' duel, even if the game is low-scoring.
But Skubal isn't a huge fan of such pitcher duels. While he is still likely to perform at a high level, he would prefer not to go head-to-head with some of the best pitchers in baseball.
Skubal isn't a fan of facing elite starting pitchers, but he does acknowledge he enjoys a pitcher's duel. That is, from the outside looking in. A pitcher's duel is entertaining, but according to Skubal's insight, only when you aren't the pitcher in the duel.
This Tuesday night matchup will be one to watch, as the Tigers and Astros are vying for top seeds in the AL and to cement their spots atop their divisions. On the mound for both teams are their staff aces, in what's shaping up to be one of the best pitchers' duels this season.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Cardinals urged to make aggressive JJ Wetherholt contract decision
- Padres prospect traded to Athletics for Mason Miller called up to Double-A
- Cardinals' Yohel Pozo shares heartwarming message amid emotional home run
- Guardians exec breaks silence on Triston McKenzie's return to Triple-A
- Astros get unfortunate update on 28-year-old injured starter amid rehab
- Guardians predicted to call up John Means in September after seven years with Orioles