What happened: Detroit is spotlighting ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, keeping his highlight reel front and center as the Tigers work through the 2026 regular season. Skubal remains the anchor of a rotation Detroit is building its identity around.

Why it matters: A front-line starter shapes a contender's ceiling, dictating series matchups and the club's ability to string together wins in a tight American League race. As long as Skubal stays healthy and sharp, the Tigers can lean on him to steady the rotation through the summer grind.

What to watch: Watch Skubal's next scheduled start and how the Tigers manage his workload as the season progresses.