Even with the rain on Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies had not called off their evening game against the Detroit Tigers, so I made my way to Coors Field as usual.
Not long after I got to the press box, a member of the Rockies’ PR team informed me that the schedule had changed—there wouldn’t be a game that night, but instead a traditional doubleheader on Thursday. However, he mentioned I could continue my work. With the rain pitter-pattering outside and knowing the press box was a productive spot, I set up my laptop.
A few minutes later, four players emerged from the Tigers’ dugout—two pitchers and two catchers. The rest of the Tigers’ pitching staff joined them shortly, but for a moment, it was just those four tossing the ball around in the rain.
Tarik Skubal caught my eye first; his black T-shirt with “Skubal 29” clearly displayed on the back made him easy to spot. He was throwing to the catcher, stepping back towards center field with each throw.
I watched the Tigers’ pitchers for about half an hour, and surprisingly, the rain didn’t seem to bother them. They ran some sprints, completed their drills, and then, like clockwork, re-entered the dugout with Skubal being the last to head back in.
It seems Skubal is building on his performance from 2024, aiming for not only the Cy Young Award but also pursuing the Triple Crown. His current statistics are impressive—11.33 strikeouts per nine innings, which ranks sixth in the MLB and first in the American League, coupled with a 0.94 walks per nine. His WHIP is also excellent at 0.88. Clearly, he’s on a path for another standout season.
But right then, he was simply a guy playing baseball in the rain.
After the Tigers finished, I stepped outside too, intrigued by how the pitchers seemed unfazed by the wet conditions.
The next day, Skubal took some time to answer questions in the visitors’ dugout at Coors Field, and he explained his unusual bullpen session.
(This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.)
★★★
Renee DeChert: When I saw you in the press box yesterday, you and the other pitchers were tossing in the rain for quite a while. Is that a standard part of your training?
Tarik Skubal: Well, yesterday was bullpen day for me, so it’s just part of my routine. When it rains, you try to keep the ball dry. But honestly, for about 10 to 15 minutes, it was manageable. So it turned out alright, and I felt the added intensity in the bullpen helped.
RD: You seemed to be enjoying it.
TS [smiling]: Yeah, especially during the running part. It was a bit tough to see where I was going, but it was fun. Kind of reminds you of Little League, you know?
RD: You seem to be relying more on your ChangeUp this year, using your fastball less. Can you talk a bit about that?
TS: I think the flow of the game is crucial. It’s about recognizing whether the batters are geared up for fastballs or ChangeUps. It’s tough to be effective with both at once. It’s important to either commit to a fastball or a ChangeUp. The game flow really depends on calls from the catcher and what I’m throwing at that moment.
RD: You’re known for being able to ramp up your fastball when necessary. Is there a mental preparation that aids in that?
TS: I think every pitch I throw requires a great deal of effort. But when the stakes are higher, and the game is close, I give it everything I’ve got. I aim to leave it all on the field so come the next day, I feel like I’ve done my best.
RD: What do you mean by “don’t try to make the pitch better than before”?
TS: Sometimes, I tend to overthink or overdo it with my pitches. I practice a lot, so I need to focus on doing what I’ve trained instead of trying to overcomplicate things.
RD: I heard Adam Ottavino mention that pitchers often tinker with their techniques.
TS: That’s true. I enjoy experimenting too. You can discover a new grip or method that adds a useful pitch to your arsenal. While I’m focused on competition days, I use other days to tinker, but when it’s game time, it’s serious business.
RD: Do you keep a journal? Many pitchers mention doing that.
TS: I do.
RD: How does that process work for you?
TS: I jot down honest, reflective thoughts after bullpens or games, noting what worked or didn’t. Self-honesty is crucial, and holding yourself accountable makes you your best coach.
RD: The Tigers have a strong rotation shaping up this season. How do you guys collaborate?
TS: We support each other. Seeing the work everyone puts in, including starters and the bullpen, motivates you to compete. It’s a joy to be part of a group that holds each other accountable and communicates honestly—it fosters something special among us.
RD: We’ve discussed count leverage and how important it is when facing batters. Do you think it’s a missed opportunity for pitchers to learn from hitting practices?
TS: No, not for me [laughs]. I have no desire to step into the box. Hitting is challenging enough without me getting in there.
RD: One last question—what’s been your best pitch this season so far?
TS: Hmm, that’s tough. I’m not really focused on past pitches, so I can’t pinpoint just one. I think my best might still be upcoming.
RD: Can you recall any recent pitch that felt particularly good?
TS: There was a ChangeUp I threw to Altuve recently that felt right. He’s notoriously tough to strike out, so I was pleased with that pitching moment. It felt satisfying—metrics showed it was effective, too. Very cool feeling.
