Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
After facing the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers have continued their road trip with three games against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
The series opener on Friday featured Tarik Skubal taking the mound against his former teammates, less than a month after he was traded to the Dodgers. It was the start of an emotional weekend for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who spent parts of seven seasons in the Motor City.
Skubal used his return to Detroit as an opportunity to host a dinner for his Dodgers teammates, Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
Skubal also has plans with his new teammates. He has arranged to host a team dinner on Saturday night at a restaurant in the Detroit area. Roberts praised the way Skubal has quickly integrated himself into the Dodgers’ group.
Unfortunately for Skubal and the Dodgers, the dinner came hours after yet another walk-off loss. It came in the Dodgers’ fifth consecutive one-run game, durning which they have gone 1-4.
Manager Dave Roberts nevertheless recently praised Skubal for quickly doing everything he can to fit in with the Dodgers.
“I think that whole be where your feet are adage, I think that’s just who he is. Some people that kind of have a hard time letting go, but Tarik is a guy that wherever he’s at, he’s all in. And he’s going to try to engage guys, immerse himself with coaches, with his teammates the best he can,” Roberts said.
“That’s a good trait. Like I said, I’ve only known him a short time but I’m really, really fortunate we got him on our club. Not even just for the pitching, just beyond.”
Tarik Skubal’s start against Tigers
Skubal has largely been effective with the Dodgers so far even when taking into account some early struggles in his starts.
Some of that surfaced on Friday as the 29-year-old needed to work around a leadoff double in the first inning. That was followed by retiring 12 batters in a row before Eduardo Valencia led off the fifth with a double. It wound up leading to the only run Skubal allowed over six innings.
The outing was ended somewhat short due to Roberts wanting to taking into account the emotional aspect of the day.
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