The Tiger Beat: JV loves TK

A former Tigers’ ace has nothing but praise for the current Tigers’ ace.

Happy Friday, everyone! The Tigers are in Kansas City this weekend, hopefully enjoying some BBQ before the game. Before first pitch, you’ve got time to catch up on some good Tigers news.

Justin Verlander spoke about Tarik Skubal after the Tigers/Giants series, and he was nothing but complimentary. Meanwhile, ESPN is singing the praises of both Skubal and the rest of the team about what they’ve been doing since last August. Also a little more about the grounds crew member who was injured on Wednesday (and not thrilled about it).

So, let’s get into the news!

Detroit Tigers News:

• ESPN looks into the numbers behind the Tigers’ incredible run since last August . There’s a lot in the piece, but here’s a little tidbit…

The Tigers have also improved their OBP from .300 last season to .325 so far in 2025. Two keys here: Free agent Gleyber Torres and 2020 No. 1 pick Spencer Torkelson. Torres, signed to a one-year, $15 million contract, has a .380 OBP, well above his career mark of .334 entering the season. There’s reason to believe he might keep this going as he ranks in the 99th percentile in chase rate, continuing a two-year improvement from a 25.9% chase rate in 2023 to 21.4% in 2024 to 16.0% in 2025. That has helped him to more walks than strikeouts and a solid .277 average.

They also spotlight Tarik Skubal, the bullpen, and more.

• After the Tigers/Giants series, Justin Verlander shared his thoughts on the Tigers’ new ace, Tarik Skubal. Of Skubal, Verlander said , “I’ve become a fan of his. I wanted to go say hi and congratulate him on a great start to his career.”

And naturally, Skubal was chill (but grateful) about the veteran’s praise:

“What he means to this organization and what he’s accomplished in his career, he’s a Hall of Famer and he’s been doing it for a long time. When you’re in my shoes, you strive to be who he is. I think that’s pretty cool…I’ve had 20 years of it. I’m 28. He got to watch one day of mine. I’ve got to watch 18 years of his.”

• Interesting…

Does this have anything to do with this…?

• Were you wondering, perhaps, why the broadcast of Wednesday’s afternoon Tigers game quickly cut back to commercial after a Tigers’ grounds crew member was injured in the seventh inning, it’s possibly because he was less than thrilled to be the focus of video cameras, and flipped the bird to one of them . Oops.
• Wednesday afternoon’s game was a close win to seal up the sweep, but if you ask the Tigers, none of them will claim to be the big game hero. After the game, manager A.J. Hinch said :

“That’s our team. We don’t care who the hero is. We don’t care what inning it’s going to be. We’ve shown it over and over and over again that we’re going to try to beat you with our 26 guys. And sometimes, it works.”

• A look at Jack Flaherty’s incredible start this week, and what’s working for him.

AL Central News:

• The Royals will be testing Andrew Hoffman’s kick-change in their bullpen.
• Royals’ pitcher Noah Cameron has done something that hasn’t been done since 1893.
• Brooks Lee is growing into an everyday role with the Twins.

MLB News:

• The Dodgers have acquired Alexis Diaz from the Reds, possibly hoping to get some bygone performance out of him as they look for pitching help.
• Could we be poised for a 2006 rematch? A few reasons the 2025 Cardinals might be the real deal.
• A recently unemployed Mets fan is using broadcasts as a unique way to get a new job.
• Is Shohei Ohtani eyeing another milestone? Always.
• These five players were signed cheaply this offseason and are paying off big time.