After a horrendous home series loss to the Houston Astros and their decimated starting rotation, the Boston Red Sox will face the Detroit Tigers, a better team with some of the best pitching in the league.
But instead of facing twice-reigning American League Cy Young Award winner in Monday's series opener, Boston will catch a break. The Tigers have scratched Skubal in the hours before his start (which has been moved up to 6:10 p.m. from 6:40 p.m. due to weather concerns).
Jon Heyman, who initially reported Skubal's scratch, said the Tigers considered the move "precautionary" and hoped he'd be okay. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic quickly contradicted that report, however, saying that Skubal will need surgery to address loose bodies in his elbow. The Tigers provided no timeline for his return, but it will be at least two months before he can return to action.
This is a brutal outcome for the Tigers and Skubal. The veteran will be a free agent after this season and he no doubt hoped to continue his Cy Young streak to ensure a record-setting payday for a starting pitcher on the market. Detroit also wanted to make the most of its (likely) last season with Skubal to really make some noise in the playoff race.
Tarik Skubal scratched from Red Sox-Tigers series opener on May 4, headed to IL for loose bodies in elbow
In the seventh inning of his last start against the Atlanta Braves, Skubal shook out his forearm in discomfort after firing a pitch to Matt Olson. He called his catcher, Dillon Dingler, to the mound, a trainer and manager A. J. Hinch followed. Skubal remained in the game and struck out the side to finish his outing, but he's worse off than the Tigers initially thought.
The Red Sox will dodge quite a bullet by missing Skubal's start. Detroit's ace has posted a 2.70 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, a 161 ERA+, 45 strikeouts and six walks over 43.1 innings so far this season, continuing his utterly dominant streak in the AL.
Boston will have a challenging pitching matchup ahead. Framber Valdez will start for the Tigers on May 5 and Jack Flaherty is currently slated to start the finale. Tyler Holton (5.27 ERA in 13.2 innings) will take Skubal's place in the rotation for now.
Unfortunately, the Red Sox's horrible offense can make any pitcher look like an All-Star (Dustin May, we're talking about you). Boston has been gifted a golden chance to steal a win with Holton on the mound and it must take advantage.
Add us as a preferred source on Google