Tarik Skubal, AJ Hinch perfectly handled Tigers' beef with umpire during A's series

There's been no shortage of drama involving home plate umpires this season, and Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers aren't immune to that trend either. During Skubal's odd start against the Athletics earlier this week, it was another example of a home plate umpire making the situation worse instead of defusing it.

There was a moment early in the game where Skubal took objection to a pitch that Dan Bellino called a ball. It looked like a strike, Skubal thought it was a strike, and it was clear the Tigers' ace was irritated. Bellino took a few steps toward the pitching mound, almost as if he were going to confront Skubal, but AJ Hinch intervened before things escalated.

"There was no need for him to lecture Tarik," Hinch told the Detroit Free Press. "I was frustrated that he went out and tried to talk to Tarik, so I had to go out to make sure Tarik stayed in the game, but also to let Dan know that I'll handle our players, and he can handle balls and strikes."

After the game, Skubal took the high road

"Oh, yeah, I forgot that even happened," Skubal said. "I'm not going to say much about it."

Tarik Skubal and AJ Hinch show leadership masterclass in Tigers-umpire drama

There was very little reason for Skubal to talk about the incident after the game. Sure, he was right that the pitch should have been called a strike, but if he were to have a critical take on the exchange after the game, it likely would have led to a hit in his wallet. Regardless of how wrong home plate umpires can be, Major League Baseball continues to protect them, and that's just the way it's going to be until they're gone.

They are adults, and if they make a mistake, they deserve to be called out. But alas, the automated ball-strike challenge system could be arriving in 2026, and instances like what happened between Skubal and Bellino will become a thing of the past.

Until then, Skubal and Hinch handled the situation in a professional manner. In other words, it wasn't the meltdown that Willson Contreras had with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this week. The Cardinals are out of contention, and it's inconsequential if Contreras is suspended for several games. With the Tigers trying to lock up the top spot in the American League, they can't afford to be without Skubal because of an umpire's ego. Let it go, shake off the bad series against the A's, and handle the Royals this weekend.

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