Skubal to make Comerica Park return against division-leading White Sox

If you're Tarik Skubal, the spotlight can't get any brighter on a man who reigns as the American League's best pitcher, whose name has been singed into the Hot Stove over the past few Trade Deadlines and who's arguably the best left-handed pitcher baseball has seen on this side of the year 2000.

But mix in surgery following an elbow scare, plus the second IL stint of his career, and the splendor surrounding a Skubal start has only multiplied.

"Skuuuubal!" chants reverberated around Progressive Field Saturday during Skubal's Major League return following the procedure (which was done to remove loose bodies from his throwing elbow).

That's about the reaction the 29-year-old would've expected from a rival fanbase he's grown quite familiar with over the last few years. Skubal can expect to hear similar chants when he returns to Comerica Park for Friday's series opener against the White Sox -- albeit of course, of a different tenor.

An enthusiastic home crowd will be a key catalyst for Skubal and the Tigers (30-44), who have struggled this season. They started June on a more positive note, riding Skubal's own "fresh month" adage to a three-game sweep of the feisty Rays (the AL leaders at the time). Following that series though, they've won one of the next four, and now face a tough challenge with the hot-hitting White Sox coming into town.

Led by the infield trio of Munetaka Murakami (currently on the IL), Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas -- all of whom sit in the top 25 in the AL in homers this year -- the White Sox have been near or at the top of the division all season. Not only do they have multiple All-Star-worthy position players (like Chase Meidroth and Tristan Peters), they're also getting career years from starters like Davis Martin and Anthony Kay.

With Martin taking the ball for Chicago's series finale against the Yankees, Skubal will match wits with Erick Fedde (2-5, 2.50 ERA) on Friday. Two things -- per usual -- will be paramount to Skubal's success against the White Sox: Length, and his lively fastball.

The latter clocked in at a game-high 99.9 mph in the first inning of Saturday's game, but was slapped into left at 94.6 mph off the bat of Chase DeLauter. The hit came with two outs and no men on, and Skubal quickly rebounded to retire Rhys Hoskins via strikeout. He hit at least 99 mph on the gun multiple times in the outing, retiring any reservations about a downtick in his velocity.

From a length perspective, Skubal looked just fine. He tossed 80 pitches (53 strikes) in his first outing since coming back, going 4 2/3 innings, striking out four and allowing two earned runs via a Daniel Schneemann homer. Skubal admittedly made a mistake on the game-deciding shot, but was hardly at fault for the José Ramírez golf swing that set the table for Schneemann's blow.

Though he was disappointed with the result, a one-mistake outing from Skubal is something the Tigers are generally content to live with.

As well they should be.

He's had a penchant for first-inning efficiency throughout his career, and that was no different Saturday.

Per MLB research, Skubal has held opponents scoreless in the first frame in four of his eight starts during 2026, and has a 3.86 ERA (29 strikeouts/six walks) in 23 1/3 innings. He went 5-2 with a 1.66 ERA (123 strikeouts/12 walks) in 92 1/3 innings when posting a perfect first inning in 2025.

Skubal hasn't gone six or more innings since before his injury. He tossed five scoreless in his lone rehab start with High-A Michigan, throwing 54 pitches (44 strikes), and went 4 2/3 on Saturday. But that could change as he eases back into his regular routine. When he has gone at least six since the start of 2025 (postseason included), Skubal is 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA in 42 starts.

Skubal said in early June that winning games is the antidote to any trade discussions that could distract the clubhouse from its goals. And he'll be a major fixture in that pursuit, starting with his start against the division leaders on Friday.