At 6-feet-3-inches and 240 pounds, Tarik Skubal doesn’t look like someone who would find comfort in Fenway Park. But the Tigers ace and back-to-back Cy Young Award winner loves every cramped nook of baseball’s oldest ballpark.
Skubal vividly recalls his first visit to Fenway with the Tigers in 2021. The lefthander jumped on the first bus from the team hotel and was captivated upon his arrival.
“It was awesome,” said Skubal. “I changed as quickly as I could to sit outside and just looked at it — tried to fit in the seats you can’t fit in. … The tunnel [from the visitor’s clubhouse to the field], when you walk down that tunnel, it feels old, and you get a nostalgic feeling. You weren’t even a part of [that history], but you feel like you’re a part of it. A ton of the game’s greats have played on this field. It’s always fun to be able to share that history.”
Get Starting Point
Skubal (2-2, 2.22 ERA in four starts this year) didn’t pitch on that trip, and has taken the mound at Fenway just twice in his big league career, most recently in 2023 — the year before he won his first Cy Young. He’s 0-2 while allowing 11 runs (10 earned) in 10 innings at Fenway. That doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm for the chance to pitch in Boston on Saturday.
“I’m going to enjoy my outing tomorrow, just being able to be a part of history and pitch here,” said Skubal.
His enthusiasm for the ballpark he’s identified as his favorite comes with a curiosity. Skubal is a free agent at year’s end. Is he using visits to Boston and other cities this year to consider future landing spots?
“I won’t really think about next year until this year’s over,” said Skubal. “Hopefully we’re in the playoffs making a deep run. Hopefully we’re winning the World Series and I’m partying my [tail] off for a week or two weeks after the season, and then I can make those decisions.”
So, no, the lefthander won’t spend Saturday afternoon imagining how he’d look in Red Sox home whites — or, during Marathon weekend, home yellows. He will relish the electricity of the setting, but his focus will be elsewhere.
“I’m just trying to win,” said Skubal. “That’s what really matters at the end.”
Cora changes batting order
Manager Alex Cora reconfigured the lineup on Friday. While Roman Anthony remained anchored in the leadoff spot, Cora bumped Willson Contreras — back in the lineup after sitting Wednesday with back stiffness — up to the No. 2 spot, with Wilyer Abreu hitting third and Trevor Story cleanup.
That grouping put the Sox’ two OPS leaders — Contreras (.935) and Abreu (.941) — further up in the lineup, while giving Story (.338/.367/.551 with runners in scoring position since last May 30) a chance to hit with baserunners.
“Let’s put them all together and keep rolling,” said Cora. “Why not?”
Catcher Carlos Narváez was out of the lineup for the second straight game, a reflection of his offensive funk. He’s hitting .195/.214/.195 with no extra-base hits, 14 strikeouts, and one walk. “He’s struggling,” said Cora. “Right now, there’s a lot of thinking that’s going on.”
Slaten may begin throwing
Cora said Justin Slaten (right oblique strain) might start throwing this weekend for the first time since landing on the injured list on April 8. … Kutter Crawford, who experienced forearm discomfort following his rehab outing last Saturday, may get an MRI. … Romy Gonzalez, on the 60-day IL while recovering from left shoulder surgery, has started taking ground balls. He’s relieved to be pain-free at the earliest stage of baseball activities.
“It’s really refreshing to wake up and not have a stiff shoulder and that achy pain,” said Gonzalez. “I don’t have a timeline, but I would love to be ready to go mid-May. That’s my target personal. I think it’s feasible.” …Mike Regan, part of the Red Sox front office since 2010, had his last official day with the team on Friday. Regan, a West Roxbury native who captained Trinity College’s Division 3 national championship team in 2008, is leaving to pursue a career opportunity outside of baseball.
Alex Speier can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @alexspeier.
