AL DIVISION SERIES: TIGERS VS MARINERS

October 8, 2025

Tarik Skubal

Comerica Park

Detroit Tigers

Postgame 4 Press Conference

Tigers - 9, Mariners - 3

Q. What was it like for you watching that game?

TARIK SKUBAL: I mean, ups and downs, for sure, like anybody watching it, but it was a ton of fun, obviously, to come out on the side that we came out on, after being down 3-0. You almost felt like the season was coming to an end. For our guys to battle back and keep grinding was huge for us.

Q. Tarik, what was it like to see Riley's home run? I mean, obviously he grounded out in the fourth inning and then there were some boos, and then the sixth inning comes out, and there was a ton of cheers. What was it like in that moment?

TARIK SKUBAL: Yeah. I saw the swing. I heard it. I thought the ball went to left center, and I had enough time to figure out where the ball was, and that was way back.

But big swing. That's the guy he is. At any given point, he can run the ball out of the yard, and he's done that all year for us.

Q. What do you see when Troy Melton takes the mound? It feels like he's a sneaky assassin that has just risen through the ranks lately?

TARIK SKUBAL: Yeah. I see the -- I have the pleasure of going to work with him every single day, so none of that is surprising to me. It doesn't seem like the moment gets too big for him. He just focuses on what he does, and that's throwing strikes, going right after guys, getting the leverage, doing all the things that pitching is all about.

So it's fun to watch, especially he was kind of thrown into the fire for us in terms of coming up and a couple starts and then thrown right into leverage innings for us. And he's been great through it all, and that probably just speaks to his preparation and who he is as a person.

Q. Tarik, Game 5, ALDS. You've kind of been there not too long ago.

TARIK SKUBAL: Yeah.

Q. A lot has happened between then and now. How are you facing this challenge? And whatever happened last year, Game 5, no motivation? This is a new start for you? Nothing happened from previous?

TARIK SKUBAL: I'll let you guys create the narrative. I'm just going to do what I do best, and that's play baseball and create pitches. The game is still the game. I'll let you guys write the stories and do your jobs, but you're not going to get anything from me.

Q. I'll try. Have you taken anything out of that winner-take-all games that you think gives you not an edge, but an experience to know even more what to expect?

TARIK SKUBAL: Yeah, like I've said before, the experience of playoff baseball, I understand win-or-go-home games are a little bit different, but every game means a ton. So it's not like Game 1 or Game 2 or Game 3 are any different than Game 5 in terms of wins or losses.

But the game stays the game, and that's kind of what you're going to hear me reiterate, is I just need to be focused on pitch by pitch and execute the game plan that will create.

So that's all I've got for you.

Q. I think I remember you told us after the game Sunday in Seattle that once the plane landed back in Detroit, you were going to go to the park and begin your routine for your next start. Even then did you have this in your mind, even as a strong possibility, just to start preparing for a Game 5?

TARIK SKUBAL: Yeah. I mean, that's where I was at mentally. Obviously I would have loved to win the last two games and be going to celebrate right now, popping bottles, but that's just not in the cards, and that's okay.

But yeah. I flew back, got back to work. My routine has stayed the same. It's just a little bit long travel day there. But it's all right. We'll be ready to go on Friday.

Q. I know we've talked a lot about this with Cleveland, but now with Seattle facing the same team in the same stadium just a few days afterwards, I imagine there aren't a whole lot of secrets. The game plans on both sides are going to be well studied over the last week or so.

TARIK SKUBAL: Yeah. This is what competition is all about. This is why you play the game, for Game 5s. If you -- in seven games, right, you have an opportunity to throw three. I threw three against Cleveland in my last three starts of the year -- or two, and then first game of the Wild Card.

But, yeah, it's competition, and I think that that's going to bring out the best in everyone involved, and that's why this game is so beautiful. We're going to be able to go experience that on Friday.