Tarik Skubal Praises Fenway Park, Tigers Ace Expresses Admiration
Tarik Skubal has developed a genuine affection for Fenway Park. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound left-hander said the cramped, historic ballpark feels special to him.
Tarik Skubal Praises Fenway Park, Tigers Ace Expresses Admiration when he recalls his first visit with Detroit in 2021. He jumped on the first bus from the team hotel and immediately wandered outside to take it in.
Fenway memories and on-field numbers
Skubal described the tunnel from the visitors’ clubhouse as nostalgic. He said walking it makes you feel part of baseball history.
He did not pitch during that 2021 trip. Overall, he has taken the mound at Fenway just twice in his major league career.
Skubal is 0-2 at Fenway. He has allowed 11 runs, 10 earned, across 10 innings there. His most recent Fenway start came in 2023.
Current season and free-agency outlook
Skubal has a 2-2 record and a 2.22 ERA in four starts this year. He is scheduled to pitch in Boston on Saturday.
He is set to become a free agent at season’s end. Skubal said he will focus on this season first and think about next year later.
He hopes the Tigers reach the playoffs. He joked about celebrating a World Series before making career decisions.
Red Sox lineup adjustments
Manager Alex Cora shuffled the batting order on Friday. Roman Anthony stayed in the leadoff spot.
Willson Contreras returned after sitting Wednesday with back stiffness. Cora moved Contreras to the No. 2 spot.
Wilyer Abreu hit third and Trevor Story was slotted cleanup. The move grouped the team’s top OPS producers early in the order.
Contreras carries a .935 OPS this season. Abreu is at .941. Story has produced a .338/.367/.551 line with runners in scoring position since May 30.
Catcher struggles
Carlos Narváez sat out for a second straight game. He is slumping offensively.
Narváez is hitting .195/.214/.195. He has no extra-base hits, 14 strikeouts, and one walk. Cora said the catcher is “struggling” and thinking a lot at the plate.
Injury and roster notes
Justin Slaten, sidelined with a right oblique strain, may begin throwing this weekend. He landed on the injured list on April 8.
Kutter Crawford felt forearm discomfort after a rehab outing last Saturday. The team said he might undergo an MRI.
Romy Gonzalez remains on the 60-day injured list while recovering from left shoulder surgery. He has started taking ground balls and feels pain-free.
Gonzalez targets a mid-May return, but he offered no firm timeline. He described being pain-free as “really refreshing.”
Front office departure
Mike Regan had his last official day with the Red Sox on Friday. He joined the organization in 2010.
Regan is a West Roxbury native who captained Trinity College’s Division III national championship team in 2008. He is leaving to pursue a career opportunity outside baseball.
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