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Tarik Skubal respect: Inside Blue Jays decision to bring A-Team to Lakeland vs Tigers
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- Tarik Skubal respect: Inside Blue Jays decision to bring A-Team to Lakeland vs Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. — Earlier in spring training, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch reached out to Toronto Blue Jays veteran George Springer . He shared some inside information about reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal .
Typically, All-Star players don't travel to road games in spring training, especially those in Lakeland, where long drives and I-4 traffic make for an exhausting trip.
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But Hinch wanted to challenge Springer.
"He let me know that there was a good chance that he was going to pitch," Springer said, recounting Hinch's message about Skubal. "And if I wanted to make the trip, I would."
"Challenge accepted," Springer responded.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida on Monday, March 3, 2025.
Springer, who maintains a close relationship with Hinch after their time together with the Houston Astros , is the leader in the Blue Jays' clubhouse. The 11-year MLB veteran was also named the 2017 World Series MVP with the Hinch-led Astros.
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It wasn't just Springer who traveled to Lakeland.
The Blue Jays brought their entire A-Team to face Skubal in Monday's game against the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium, partly thanks to Hinch's heads-up to Springer.
"I mean, how often do you get a chance to face a Cy Young Award winner, especially early in camp?" Springer said after Monday's game, a 13-3 loss for the Tigers . "It's not about the results. He's so good, so it was good to face a guy like that."
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Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer (4) gets congratulated after his second solo home run of the game against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sunday, July 21, 2024.
The Blue Jays' starting lineup combined for 13 All-Star appearances: shortstop Bo Bichette (two-time All-Star), first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (four-time All-Star), designated hitter Anthony Santander (one-time All-Star), right fielder George Springer (four-time All-Star), second baseman Andrés Giménez (one-time All-Star), catcher Alejandro Kirk (one-time All-Star), left fielder Davis Schneider , center fielder Nathan Lukes , third baseman Ernie Clement .
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That's practically the projected Opening Day lineup, with the exception of outfielder Daulton Varsho .
"It's all of us," Springer said. "When you talk about spring training, it's very easy for everyone to say, 'I don't want to travel, I want to stay close,' but this is an hour up the road. Any time you have a chance to face a guy like him, I think guys are excited about it. Again, it's not about the results. It's just a chance to see a guy like that."
Santander agreed.
"He's one of the greatest right now in the game," said Santander, a switch-hitting slugger. "He's nasty with everything he throws. I wanted to come here to see him and get ready for the season, especially for my right side. I don't see too many lefties in spring training. Hopefully, I don't see him in the season. I missed him last year twice. He's just a great pitcher."
Skubal completed three scoreless innings against the Blue Jays, allowing one hit without a walk while striking out three batters in his second start of spring training. He sent down nine of the 10 batters he faced in his 37-pitch outing: Bichette (twice), Guerrero, Santander, Springer, Giménez, Kirk, Schneider and Lukes.
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Clement had the only hit, a single.
Skubal appreciated the All-Star participation from the Blue Jays.
"I want to face the best guys," Skubal said after Monday's dominance. "I want to face the guys I'm going to face in the big leagues a lot. I'm not here to offend guys that are making the trips that are going to be future big leaguers, but I want to face Vlad, I want to face Bo, I want to face Springer. I want to face those guys that are really, really good in that lineup — Santander. Guys that are really good and have been good for a while, I want to face those guys."
Springer felt like the Blue Jays sent a message to Skubal.
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It's simple: They respect him.
"Even though it might be far for some guys, or whatever the case is, I think that shows the respect our team has for him — to come out here and attempt to put some at-bats together early in spring," Springer said.
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In the 2024 season, Skubal registered a 2.39 ERA with 35 walks and 228 strikeouts across 192 innings in 31 starts, along with earning his first All-Star nod. The 28-year-old led the American League in wins (18), ERA (2.39) and strikeouts (228), becoming the first AL pitcher to win the Triple Crown in a full season since 2011 .
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Skubal won the AL Cy Young Award unanimously for his performance.
"He has an award on the shelf that says he was the best," Springer said, "and I think he deserves it. I think he's going to be very good for a long time."
The Blue Jays aren't scheduled to return to Lakeland this spring, but next year, once spring training rolls around again, Hinch expects to see Springer's name in the starting lineup in TigerTown — even if Skubal isn't pitching.
It sounds like a new challenge.
"He's required to come over every time," Hinch said, smiling. "He knows it. I know it. (Blue Jays manager) John Schneider knows it. That's why he yells at me from the on-deck circle every time. It's mandatory."
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Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tarik Skubal respect: Blue Jays wanted their best vs Detroit Tigers ace
