Seeking their third consecutive World Series title, the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Aug. 4, the highly-anticipated debut of trade deadline acquisition Tarik Skubal.
Skubal, who won back-to-back Cy Young awards with the Detroit Tigers, is a free agent at the end of the season and joined Los Angeles in a blockbuster deal that further solidifies the club as World Series favorite again.
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“They’ve been a pretty good baseball team without me,” Skubal told reporters. “So I’m going to show up and kind of be a chameleon in a sense and fit right in with these guys and just gel with them.
“They’ve got the winning recipe. They know what it takes to win. I don’t. I’m going to lean on these guys, let them guide me and lead me.”
Follow for the latest updates from Skubal’s Dodgers debut on Tuesday:
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.
In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
1 / 29
Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City. The crown jewel of the 2026 MLB trade deadline is undoubtedly two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ lefty has missed some time due to injury this season, but still boasts a remarkable 2.70 ERA on the season while striking out 11 batters per nine innings pitched.
In a sense, this has been Skubal’s best season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is the highest it’s ever been at 8.46. His FIP (2.68) is still elite and below where his ERA currently stands. All that to say that every team in position to contend for a World Series this year should be dialing the Tigers’ number and trying to get their paws on Skubal.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
2 / 29
Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Tigers’ photo day on February 20, 2020 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
(Brian Blanco, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Pitcher Tarik Skubal practices during Detroit Tigers spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal thought he knew heat with 82 strikeouts in 42 1/3 Double-A innings last year. And then he got COVID-19.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
5 / 29
Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches to Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on Aug. 23, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Manager A. J. Hinch and Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers watch batting practice before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 17, 2021 in Seattle, Wash.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Comerica Park on May 25, 2021, in Detroit, Mich.
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 signals to Jake Rogers of the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on July 8, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Twins defeated the Tigers 5-3.
(David Berding, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Detroit Tigers players (L-R) Jake Rogers #34, Tarik Skubal #29, Gregory Soto #65 and Grayson Greiner #17 hold up placards for cancer awareness night during Pink Out the Park at Comerica Park during a game against the Texas Rangers on July 21, 2021, in Detroit, Mich.
(Duane Burleson, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Nicky Lopez #8 of the Kansas City Royals slides safely into first past starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers for a single in the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium on April 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
(Ed Zurga, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 01, 2022 in Detroit, Mich.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers throws to Spencer Torkelson #20 for the second out in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 11, 2023 in Boston, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during photo day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Feb. 23, 2024 in Lakeland, Fla.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers talks with home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez as the grounds crew work on the field during a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 5, 2024 in New York City.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
(L-R) Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians, Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers, Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals and Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers look on prior to the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
(Richard Rodriguez, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 22, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers in action during the game against the New York Yankees at Bowman Field on August 18, 2024 in South Williamsport, Pa.
(Joe Sargent, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal warms up before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sept. 6, 2024.
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts after recording a strikeout against the Houston Astros to end the fourth inning during Game One of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on Oc. 1, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Houston Astros 5-2 in Game Two of the Wild Card Series to advance to the ALDS at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers high five teammates prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Five of the Division Series at Progressive Field on Oct.12, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal receives The Outstanding American league Pitcher 2024 Award during the 2025 BBWAA Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 25, 2025 in New York City.
(Roy Rochlin, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers during a 2025 Major League Baseball season home opening game at Dodger Stadium on Mar. 27, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians stretches a single as starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers tries to make the tag during the third inning at Progressive Field on July 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after the last out of the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on Oct. 2, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Nick Cammett, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal, American League Cy Young Award Winner gives acceptance speech during the Baseball Writers of America Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 24, 2026 in New York City.
(Michelle Farsi, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 1, 2026 in Phoenix.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young career moments with Tigers
Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers greets his teammates as he walks to the dugout for a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 30, 2026 in New York City.
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
How to watch Dodgers vs Cubs game
TV: TBS, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), Marquee Sports Network (Chicago)
Tarik Skubal makes his Dodgers debut Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8:05 p.m. ET (5:05 p.m. PT).
2021: 8–12, 4.34 ERA, 31 G (29 GS), 149⅓ IP, 164 SO, 1.26 WHIP
2020: 1–4, 5.63 ERA, 8 G (7 GS), 32 IP, 37 SO, 1.22 WHIP
When is Tarik Skubal a free agent?
Skubal is eligible for free agency at the conclusion of the 2026 season and will be one the most sought-after player on the market. Turning 30 this offseason, Skubal is likely to break Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million record contract for a pitcher.
Tarik Skubal draft and college
Tarik Skubal played college baseball for the Seattle University Redhawks, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2015 before undergoing Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year in 2016.
Despite missing the 2017 season while recovering, he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 29th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but chose to return to school. He was ultimately selected by the Detroit Tigers in the ninth round (255th overall) of the 2018 MLB draft and signed for a $350,000 bonus.
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Tarik Skubal age
Tarik Skubal is 29 years old and turns 30 on November 20.
He made his MLB debut in 2020 as a 23-year-old.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch Dodgers vs Cubs today: Tarik Skubal LA debut game time and channel
