The mound at Comerica Park witnessed a dominant performance by Tarik Skubal on Tuesday night against the formidable New York Yankees. Behind the plate stood a new face for Skubal: Dillon Dingler, who earned the starting job in the absence of regular catcher Jake Rogers, sidelined with a left oblique strain and placed on the 10-day injured list. Despite the unfamiliar pairing, the chemistry between Skubal and Dingler appeared to flourish from the very first pitch.
If Tuesday’s outing is any indication, the Detroit Tigers may have uncovered a promising new battery. Skubal delivered six scoreless innings, holding the Yankees to just four hits while striking out six and issuing no walks. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner made a deliberate effort to show confidence in his young catcher.
“I really didn’t want to shake [a sign] today at all, because I wanted to show him that I trust him,” Skubal said after the win, per Jason Beck of MLB.com. “I shook one time because I missed a pitch and thought I could execute it again and get the result I wanted — and I didn’t. So I probably shouldn’t have shaken.”
Instant chemistry and high praise for Tigers’ catchers
Skubal also credited the Tigers’ entire catching corps for their dedication, both on and off the field. “When these cameras are all gone and you watch [the catchers] sit in their lockers, go over scouting reports — that’s where you build that trust,” he added. “He’s great back there. Our whole catching department’s great. Obviously, Rog and I have a pretty special connection — I think that’s pretty clear. But they’ll all be great.”
Dingler contributed not only behind the plate but also with the bat. He went 2-for-3, including a fourth-inning home run that gave Detroit a commanding four-run lead. His poise and productivity added another dimension to an already impressive night for the Tigers.
What’s next for the Tigers?
With the win, Detroit extended its winning streak to five games and improved to 7–4, taking an early lead in the American League Central. The early signs of trust and collaboration between Skubal and Dingler offer encouragement for the Tigers’ trajectory as they continue to build momentum in the 2025 MLB season.
SURVEY How do you feel about the emerging pitcher-catcher duo of Tarik Skubal and Dillon Dingler for the Tigers?
How do you feel about the emerging pitcher-catcher duo of Tarik Skubal and Dillon Dingler for the Tigers?
already voted 2 fans