LAKELAND, FL – The two best pitchers in baseball shared a private conversation about the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Tarik Skubal did the asking.
Paul Skenes had the answers.
The reigning two-time American League Cy Young winner and the reigning National League Cy Young winner talked in early December at the MLB Players Association meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona. By mid-December, Skubal committed to pitch for Team USA for the first time in his life – after an eight-month recruitment process.
“What’s your plan? What’s your vibe on all this? What do you got on it?” Skubal said, recalling his conversation with Skenes. “It’s pretty easy to convince me because I was already bought in on it. He confirmed everything I felt.”
Skubal will make his first (and only) start for Team USA on Saturday, March 7, against Team Great Britain at Daikin Park in Houston in the second game of pool play. The 29-year-old is expected to throw between 50-55 pitches, then return to spring training in TigerTown to continue getting ready for the 2026 season.
He won’t make a second start for Team USA.
“I have not heard anything like that,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, when asked if Skubal could make a second WBC start. “I’m fully expecting him to be back.”
Skubal limited his participation with Team USA to one start to prioritize his health as he gears up for the regular season, especially with a record-breaking contract worth at least $400 million looming when he reaches free agency in November 2026.
He discussed the plan with both the Tigers and agent Scott Boras while working with Team USA to map out his WBC schedule.
Ultimately, it was Skubal’s decision to pitch for Team USA.
“I take a ton of pride in being able to wear the USA across the chest,” said Skubal, a two-time All-Star in his six-year MLB career. “It’s something that I’ve never had the opportunity to do. I take a ton of pride in the United States of America, and it’s the best country in the world.”
Skubal joined Team USA on Tuesday.
He will be around through Saturday’s start against Great Britain, then he hopes to return – driving four hours from Lakeland to Miami – to support his fellow superstars as a cheerleader for the semifinals March 15 and the championship March 17, assuming Team USA advances.
“It’s like an All-Star Game, but you get to spend a week with it,” Skubal said. “It’s the best players from America, and then you’re going to play the best players from around the world. It’s going to be a ton of fun.”
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Before leaving the Tigers, Skubal expressed excitement about spending time with fellow left-handers Clayton Kershaw (Team USA teammate) and Andy Pettite (Team USA pitching coach).
In MLB history, 23 pitchers have won multiple Cy Young awards, and 12 of those have won in back-to-back seasons. Only four of those were left-handers: Sandy Koufax (1965-66), Randy Johnson (1999-2002), Kershaw (2013-14) and Skubal (2024-25). No AL pitcher has ever won three in a row, which Skubal can accomplish by three-peating in 2026.
Skubal grew up watching Kershaw.
“It’ll also be another really special thing in my career, being able to share the clubhouse with all those guys that are very elite,” Skubal said. “Getting to come together for one common goal will be pretty special. The pitching coach is Andy Pettite. Clayton Kershaw is on the team. That’s an obvious – I’m excited to get with those guys and just talk.”
Skubal views his upcoming schedule as the best of both worlds: representing Team USA in the WBC while preparing for his third straight Opening Day start with the Tigers.
One start for Team USA.
One chance to wear the letters across his chest for the first time.
“I’m going to have a ton of pride doing it,” Skubal said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why Tigers’ Tarik Skubal joined Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
