Jul 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after he gets a strike out to end the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Rick Osentoski
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is currently slated to face Zack Wheeler Saturday at 4:05 ET at Citizens Bank Park as the Tigers visit the Phillies:
Looking ahead to the Cradle of Liberty:
Friday, 6:45 p.m.
RHP Jack Flaherty (6-10, 4.51) vs. LHP Ranger Suárez (8-4, 2.59)
Saturday, 4:05 p.m.
LHP Tarik Skubal (10-3, 2.09) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.56)
Sunday, 7:10 p.m.
RHP Troy Melton (1-1, 4.50) vs. LHP Cristopher…
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) July 30, 2025
Skubal currently leads all pitchers in FIP (1.92), WHIP (0.838), strikeout-to-walk-ratio (9.00) and WAR (5.4), according to FanGraphs. Considering he also leads the AL in ERA (2.09), ERA+ (197) and K/9 (11.5), he's currently the favorite to win the 2025 AL Cy Young Award. Skubal is aiming to become the first repeat winner of the junior circuit's Cy Young Award since Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez did it in 1999 and 2000.
Meanwhile, Wheeler is coming off of the second runner-up finish in NL Cy Young Award voting of his career last season. Given how well Paul Skenes is pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wheeler might be destined to once again be the best man and not the groom this year. But he's continuing a stretch that might ultimately make him the best pitcher of the 2020s. An All-Star for the third time in his career, Wheeler leads the NL in strikeouts (172) and WHIP (0.890). He has been a bit off in his first two starts since the All-Star Break, but has largely turned in another incredible season.
This matchup will come on what's already sure to be an electric weekend at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will likely have made at least an addition or two before the July 31 trade deadline, and their Phillies' debuts will come during Alumni Weekend, with Jimmy Rollins set to be inducted onto the Wall of Fame Friday evening alongside former general manager Ed Wade. Additionally, the Tigers and Phillies are each World Series contenders, so to have the two aces matched up against each other should make for incredible cinema.
