Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal Clayton Kershaw retired last season, but briefly came out of retirement to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. The future Hall of Famer was not a huge factor on the field, but was a great resource for the other pitchers on the team. All the pitchers on the team grew up watching Kershaw and know how great he is, and one of those pitchers was Tarik Skubal, who is now on the Dodgers. "He wants to be great,” Kershaw told The California Post's Dylan Hernandez about Skubal. Skubal, who was going into a contract year, pitched in just one game for Team USA. He allowed one run in three innings and struck out five batters. He left the team early to return to the Detroit Tigers but admitted it was a very tough decision. However, the time he shared with Kershaw revealed a ton about him to the Dodgers legend.
"I think that comes out in how he talks and how he prepares,” Kershaw said. “You can tell he wants to be the best.”
“He’s very confident in what he does well, but he really likes to ask guys and hear how other people do it,” Kershaw added. “I just think it’s a really good quality to be interested in what other people are doing.” It's clear that Skubal is not content with his two Cy Young Awards. He is having a great season this year as well and is now a part of the Dodgers attempting to three-peat. Kershaw was a part of three World Series teams for the Dodgers, but did not pitch in the 2024 postseason.
The Dodgers gave up three talented prospects for a few months of Skubal and are hoping he can help secure another championship. More MLB: Brewers Pitcher Outduels Tarik Skubal After Team Reportedly Refused To Trade Him To Tigers