ATLANTA — There was a moment, just as the pregame sun cast a soft golden glow across Truist Park, when it was hard to tell if the two Detroit Tigers standing along the third base line were pitchers on assignment or lions surveying their territory.
Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, two of Detroit’s most compelling arms, strolled into Atlanta this week with the confidence of men aware of what they’re building — for themselves, and for a team trying to climb back into relevance in a fiercely competitive American League landscape. And if the reactions from fans were any indication, the Tigers’ young core is no longer flying under the radar.
Skubal, 27, has pitched this season with a quiet ferocity, showcasing a fastball that explodes late and a slider that breaks hearts across the league. Flaherty, a midseason acquisition, has blended seamlessly, bringing a veteran edge and a slider of his own that confounds hitters. Together, they represent what Detroit has lacked for so long: a pair of frontline starters who believe, and make others believe, that the Tigers’ long rebuild may finally be turning the corner.
On Tuesday, they walked the outfield grass before the All-Star workout with the casual air of men ready for the moment, gloves hanging loosely in their hands, their eyes scanning the scene. Kids in Braves caps asked for autographs. A group of Tigers fans shouted, “Detroit vs Everybody!” Skubal looked over and cracked a grin.
“It’s fun to be here,” Skubal said. “But the goal is to bring these moments back to Detroit.”
For years, the Tigers were stuck in the same cycle of high draft picks and cautious optimism, only to see their momentum stunted by injuries or inconsistency. But 2024 has felt different. Skubal’s emergence as a Cy Young contender, Flaherty’s return to form, and the continued development of Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson have given fans reasons to believe that the rebuild is transforming into contention.
Flaherty, 28, knows the weight of expectations well. A former top prospect with the Cardinals, he has dealt with injuries that would have broken lesser competitors. Instead, he found new life in Detroit, crediting the organization for allowing him to pitch without fear.
“Coming here was a breath of fresh air,” Flaherty said, glancing around the ballpark as kids took batting practice under the watchful eyes of their heroes. “They trust us to compete, and we trust each other to push every day. That’s what you want as a player.”
The All-Star Game, often seen as a break, was another chance for Skubal and Flaherty to soak in the environment and test themselves against the best. They laughed as they discussed the adrenaline of pitching to the game’s biggest names, but each returned to the same point: they’re here to win in October, not just to be seen in July.
The Tigers’ front office sees this moment as validation of their patient approach. They resisted the urge to rush their prospects, and now the results are beginning to show. Skubal’s ascent has been especially gratifying for the organization, as he was drafted in the ninth round in 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in college. His rise to All-Star status has become a point of pride within the player development system.
“It’s about stacking good days,” Skubal said. “That’s all we’re focused on. If we do that, the wins come.”
In the visiting clubhouse before the Home Run Derby, Skubal and Flaherty sat side by side, trading stories and watching highlights on their phones. Flaherty leaned back and smiled as Skubal explained the intricacies of how he grips his changeup, and Skubal listened intently as Flaherty discussed the mindset required to attack hitters in high-leverage innings.
“You learn from each other,” Flaherty said. “That’s the cool part about this game. We all want to win, but we all want to keep growing.”
As the sun dipped behind the upper deck and the lights of the stadium began to glow, the two Tigers took the field again, this time for the All-Star introductions. The crowd roared for the hometown heroes, but there were scattered cheers for Skubal and Flaherty, Tigers hats and shirts visible among the sea of Braves navy.
In that moment, under the lights in Atlanta, it was clear that these two pitchers weren’t just representing themselves. They were representing a city hungry for postseason baseball, a franchise eager to reestablish itself as a contender, and a fan base that has endured too many losing Septembers.
After the ceremony, as they walked back through the tunnel, Skubal paused, looking back at the field.
“This is cool,” he said, “but it’s going to be even cooler when we get there in October.”
Flaherty nodded, a smile crossing his face.
“Yeah,” he said, “let’s bring it back to Detroit.”
And with that, the two Tigers disappeared into the tunnel, already thinking about the second half, about October, and about bringing baseball back to life in Detroit.