RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesTarik Skubal made history Wednesday, then A.J. Hinch may have revealed something about the Detroit Tigers’ trade deadline plans.
Skubal struck out the first Baltimore Orioles batter he faced to record the 1,000th strikeout of his career. Comerica Park responded with a standing ovation.
The bigger clue came later.
Hinch Let Skubal Keep Pitching
Detroit led 7-0 after six innings, but Hinch still sent Skubal back out for the seventh.
Normally, that decision would draw little attention. Skubal’s pitch count was still in the 80s.
With the trade deadline approaching, it mattered.
If the Tigers were preparing to trade Skubal, allowing their most valuable asset to pitch another inning in a blowout would have created unnecessary risk.
Skubal allowed his first run and was removed with two outs in the seventh after 92 pitches. Tigers fans gave him another standing ovation as he walked off the mound.
Was It a Sign Skubal Is Staying?
Hinch does not control trade negotiations, but his handling of Skubal did not look like an organization protecting a pitcher for an imminent deal.
Detroit treated Skubal like its ace, not a trade chip.
That does not guarantee he will remain with the Tigers after the deadline. One overwhelming offer could still change everything.
Bottom Line
Tarik Skubal reached 1,000 career strikeouts, received two standing ovations and threw 92 pitches in a game Detroit led comfortably.
If the Tigers were close to trading him, sending him back out for the seventh would have been a strange gamble.
It may have been the strongest hint yet that Detroit plans to keep its ace.
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