Tarik Skubal Reacts to Detroit Return to Face Tigers After Dodgers Trade at MLB Deadline

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal says he feels he managed to control his emotions while starting against the Detroit Tigers for the first time in his MLB career.

Skubal struck out seven batters and allowed one run in a six-inning no decision as the Dodgers claimed a 2-1 Friday night win at Comerica Park.

"I think I did a good job of keeping baseball, baseball," Skubal said after the Dodgers' win. "And trying to compete, and give our team a chance to win.

"I think you kind of saw the emotions early, but I feel like I did a good job keeping the game baseball. But obviously, this place is special to me."

Skubal played the first six and a half seasons of his MLB career with Detroit.

He was traded to the Dodgers earlier this month after failing to work out an extension with the Tigers, although he has since indicated he has not ruled out a return to Detroit in the future.

The two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner told reporters he had an emotional reaction in the tunnel after watching a tribute video the Tigers played for him ahead of Friday's start.

"It's tough. This is a place I've known my entire career, since 2018," Skubal said. "It was special, for sure."

He added that fans were "pretty supportive" and that he planned to assume any potential boos from the crowd were people cheering "Skub."

Skubal was pulled from the game after six innings, 83 pitches and a long dugout conversation with manager Dave Roberts.

The pitcher said afterward he felt "still in control of the baseball game" when he was pulled.

"Of course I did want to go back out there. Some of those decisions aren't my decisions," Skubal said. "Doc kind of came to me and said we've got a long road. He said he's kind of pushed me, recently."

Skubal threw more than 100 pitches in each of his last two starts prior to Friday's outing. Roberts will be tasked with not overworking the Dodgers' newest ace before his club begins a bid to three-peat as World Series champions this fall.