The Detroit Tigers enter their matchup against the Minnesota Twins with a 4–6 record, on a two-game losing streak. They are looking to rebound after a 5–3 loss on April 5. As they aim to reset, the Tigers are expected to adjust their rotation by separating Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez into back-to-back starts, while potentially inserting a right-hander between them to create more balance.
With Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize, both right-handed pitchers, already part of the five-man rotation, the team has flexibility to vary its matchups (h/t Jason Beck, MLB.com).
The decision appears to be more about spacing than necessity, as Detroit likely wants to avoid having its two best starters pitch on consecutive days. It also helps break up two left-handers, since both Skubal and Valdez throw from the left side, giving opposing lineups a different look.
Flaherty and Mize provide that contrast as right-handers, giving Detroit options to slot one between Skubal and Valdez and create more variation within the rotation.
Skubal delivered a strong performance on Opening Day, tossing six innings with six strikeouts in an 8–2 win over the San Diego Padres. Valdez was similarly effective despite a 4–0 loss on April 3, pitching six innings with five strikeouts.
With two proven left-handers leading the rotation and right-handers available to provide balance, Detroit is aiming for more consistent results in the coming games.
Last season, Skubal was dominant. Across 31 starts, he posted a 2.21 ERA, 195.1 innings pitched, 241 strikeouts and a 0.891 WHIP which led MLB. His success stems from an elite fastball that reaches the upper 90s with late movement, paired with strong command that allows him to attack the strike zone effectively.
He complements that with a sharp slider and an improving changeup, giving him multiple swing-and-miss options. Skubal has established himself as a durable ace and a central reason for the Tigers’ recent success.
Skubal is without a doubt a top-two pitcher in the league. A ninth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, he has developed into the ace of Detroit’s staff, earning back-to-back Cy Young Awards, two All-Star selections, one pitching Triple Crown and two ERA titles.
His consistent dominance has made him one of the most valuable arms in the league and a foundational part of the Tigers’ success.
In February 2026, Skubal signed a one-year, $32 million deal with Detroit, the largest arbitration contract in MLB history, surpassing the previous record.
The Tigers are expected to prioritize keeping him, as he remains a critical piece of their roster and a pitcher capable of anchoring the rotation for years to come.
