Tarik Skubal and Zack Wheeler set to face off on Saturday
Two true aces are set to face off this weekend at Citizens Bank Park.
Reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the Detroit Tigers against the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler on Saturday.
Skubal, who also captured the AL Triple Crown last season, is having yet another Cy Young caliber year in 2025. He leads the AL in ERA (2.09), FIP (1.93) and is second behind Garrett Crochet in strikeouts (171).
On the other side, Wheeler is having another fantastic season that will put him in the National League Cy Young conversation. Wheeler, who was named an All-Star for the third time in his career, currently leads the NL in strikeouts (172) and WHIP (0.89). His 2.56 ERA ranks fourth just behind teammate Cristopher Sánchez (2.55). Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes boasts the NL’s best 1.83 ERA.
The Phillies will load up on right-handed hitters against the lefty Skubal. Outfielder Harrison Bader is slated to make his first start of the season on Saturday. Otto Kemp, Edmundo Sosa and Weston Wilson are also likely to be in the starting lineup. Lefty hitters have a .433 OPS against Skubal this year. Righties are not much better at .533, though all nine of Skubal’s home runs surrendered this year have come against right-handed hitters.
The Saturday matchup between two of MLB’s best pitchers is sure to be exciting, as two World Series contenders in the Phillies and Tigers are set to face off for an exciting weekend of baseball in Philadelphia.