After crushing loss, are Tigers definitely going to trade Skubal?

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Tarik Skubal prior to the Trade Deadline on Aug. 3.

Have the Tigers made their choice?

After blowing a 7-0 lead in what may be the final start Skubal makes in a Tigers uniform, Detroit's hands now appear forced to ship off the two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. And according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the club is now widely expected to deal the superstar southpaw. Passan writes: "They haven't won enough to warrant Skubal staying, and he will be traded."

Furthermore, a Skubal trade is expected to come together quickly. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported earlier this week that rival clubs would begin calling the Tigers following a three-game losing streak, and Passan said Thursday that rival executives expect a deal to happen by the morning of Monday's Deadline at the latest. The accelerated timeline would primarily keep the Tigers from not having time to pivot, should any deal be spiked for issues with a physical.

Passan has stated that the Dodgers and Brewers -- with their loaded farm systems -- are the favorites to win the Skubal sweepstakes. However, the Rays, Cubs, Phillies, Braves and Yankees have each also been connected with Skubal.

Latest on Dodgers' interest in Skubal

Now that Skubal is fully anticipated to be dealt, many see a clear favorite: the Dodgers.

"While everybody is thinking that the Brewers are gonna be in it, that the Rays are gonna be in it, that the Atlanta Braves are gonna be in it, they're all almost resigned to the idea that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to get Tarik Skubal," Passan said Wednesday.

The Dodgers' interest in Skubal has been the subject of much debate this summer, with some questioning whether they'd surrender big-time prospects for Skubal when Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are already on their way back from injuries.

However, questions about Shohei Ohtani's availability to pitch could give L.A. more incentive to trade for the lefty, as MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi noted Wednesday.