Previewing Tigers vs Dodgers Opening Day matchup between Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell

Weeks ago, while mid-interview with Jason Benetti and Dan Petry, AJ Hinch stated the obvious: Tarik Skubal would be the Tigers' Opening Day starter on the road at Dodger Stadium. At the time, Skubal had just completed two innings of work in his first spring start against the Twins. He gave up just one hit, a single, and struck out his first batter in Grapefruit League play.

That sets Skubal up to go head-to-head against new Dodgers starter Blake Snell for LA's home opener after Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki got the two starts in the Tokyo Series against the Cubs.

Skubal was also the Tigers' Opening Day starter last season after he'd come back from an injury-shortened but incredibly promising 2023. His Opening Day role didn't seem entirely assured going into the 2024 season, but it definitely does now.

This is the first time the Tigers will have a reigning Cy Young winner on the mound for them on Opening Day since 2012, when Justin Verlander got the ball against the Red Sox and Jon Lester. The Dodgers haven't had that happen since 2015, when NL incumbent Clayton Kershaw got the tap for the first start of the year.

Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell are Tigers-Dodgers' probable starters for Detroit's Opening Day on the road

Of course, Snell is also a Cy Young winner (two-time, at that) and one of only seven pitchers who have ever won the award in both leagues. The Dodgers have managed to put together one of the best offseasons in recent history, but if anyone will be able to cut through that lineup, it's Skubal.

He faced them last year in the first of a three-game series and pitched six innings. He did give up a solo homer to Freddie Freeman and an RBI single to Andy Pages, but the Tigers held the lead until Beau Brieske and Jason Foley gave up a run each in later innings.

Skubal's Opening Day start in LA wouldn't line him up to also take the ball for the Tigers' home opener on April 2, but Detroit could plausibly stage a bullpen game or add a temporary sixth starter in their series finale against the Mariners if they want to keep Skubal in reserve to start at Comerica. After all, there'll be guys with starting experience in the bullpen after the rotation battle plays out.

This is probably what the Tigers should do. They'll be coming back to Comerica after a six-game road trip, and fans want to see Skubal pitch back at home. But Skubal's first task will be taking on the 2-0 Dodgers, while the Tigers offense faces another feared lefty in Snell making his debut with a new team.