Tigers’ Tarik Skubal to face childhood crew at new house

Detroit — Growing up an Oakland Athletics fan in Northern California, Tarik Skubal could have a a lot completely different expertise towards the crew he as soon as idolized on Monday.

Instead of returning to the Oakland Coliseum, he’ll make the beginning towards the A’s of their momentary house, Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. 

It gained’t be the identical as pitching within the Coliseum, the place he repeatedly attended video games in his youth, however that doesn’t imply he gained’t be fully unfamiliar with the environment, both.

“I’ve been to that stadium as a kid,” Skubal mentioned. “I went to games growing up there, too. I don’t remember what it looks like at all from my memory. I remember it being on the water, but that’s about it. It’ll be fun. I got a lot of family that lives closer to Sacramento than Oakland, so I’ll get to see a lot of them.”

Of late, the A’s have given Skubal about as a lot bother as every other crew in Major League Baseball. 

In his final three begins towards Oakland, Skubal has given up 19 hits and 10 earned runs in 18 whole innings of labor. In a begin towards the A’s on June 24 at Comerica Park, Skubal allowed 4 runs and 6 hits in six innings of labor, however he did handle to strike out eight.

He hopes pitching in entrance of household and mates will assist reverse that development towards the A’s.

“My grandpa tends to bring some good luck,” Skubal mentioned. “Hopefully that keeps going.”

Keith scratched from lineup

Colt Keith arrived on the ballpark on Sunday and was initially within the lineup because the leadoff hitter for the collection finale towards the Royals, however he was later taken out attributable to an sickness. 

He was changed by Jahmai Jones, who was positioned seventh within the order whereas Wenceel Pérez was moved to the leadoff spot. 

Tigers supervisor AJ Hinch joked that possibly the crew ought to have Keith go on a separate flight out to Sacramento to forestall the virus from spreading.

“He’s going to be patient zero,” Hinch quipped. “Hopefully it stops there.” 

It’s getting late for Cobb

There doesn’t appear to be a lot motion on the Alex Cobb entrance, and it’s getting late to see if he’ll even pitch for the Tigers this season after battling hip points. 

Cobb had a rehab outing for Toledo on Saturday, permitting three hits, a stroll and a run in two innings of labor whereas hanging out one. 

He threw 9 pitches in his first inning of labor earlier than laboring for 31 pitches in his second inning. 

“Things started to pile up on him a little bit,” Hinch mentioned. 

Hinch mentioned Cobb could have one other rehab outing quickly, however acknowledged time is operating out.

“Decision day is coming pretty soon on whether he can continue with his rebab assignment or not,” Hinch mentioned. “I know there was some good and bad, which is the same answer I gave last time because that’s how his outings are going.”

Dingler has no ailing will towards umpire

Catcher Dillon Dingler talked at larger size on Sunday about his epic at-bat throughout Saturday’s sport, which noticed him battle Royals starter Michael Wacha for 15 pitches earlier than Wacha punched out Dingler on a changeup that house plate umpire Adam Beck dominated was strike three. 

Replays confirmed the ball missed the strike zone off of the surface nook. 

Batting Saturday because the crew’s designated hitter, Dingler mentioned he had a pleasant dialog with Beck the place the 2 defined to one another the place they have been coming from. 

Dingler added his response might need been a bit extra heated had it been a late-game state of affairs the place the crew was down. Ultimately, he didn’t have something unhealthy he wished to say in regards to the name and that Beck is a “great guy.”

“I already talked to Adam about it, and I understand,” Dingler mentioned. 

Keith Dunlap is a contract author.

On deck: Athletics

▶ Series: Three video games at Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, California

▶ First pitch: Monday-Wednesday — 10:05 p.m.

▶ TV/radio: All video games on FDSN/97.1

▶ Probables: Monday — LHP Tarik Skubal (11-3, 2.32) vs. RHP J.T. Ginn (2-5, 4.95); Tuesday — RHP Charlie Morton (9-10, 5.09) vs. TBD; Wednesday — RHP Casey Mize (12-4, 3.68) vs. RHP Luis Morales (1-0, 1.72)

SCOUTING REPORT

▶ Skubal, Tigers: It could be a extra emotional Skubal than regular, given he grew up an A’s fan in Northern California and it is going to be the primary time going through them on the highway at their momentary house in Sacramento slightly than the Oakland Coliseum, the place he repeatedly attended video games as a child. 

▶ Ginn, A’s: He has been hit round in his final two begins, permitting 5 runs and 6 hits in two innings of labor on Aug. 13 towards Tampa and 7 hits and two runs in 4⅔ innings in his final begin towards Minnesota. He has pitched not less than 5 innings solely as soon as in his final 4 begins.