Tigers top D-backs 5-1 on July 30 with Tarik Skubal starring. As Reese Olson is lost to injury, Detroit trades for Chris Paddack to bolster their playoff push.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of stark contrasts for the Detroit Tigers. On the field, it was pure dominance—a 5-1 victory over the Diamondbacks fueled by ace Tarik Skubal and the potent bat of Riley Greene. But off the field, the front office was making moves born of necessity, swiftly acquiring starter Chris Paddack from the Twins just as news broke that Reese Olson would miss the rest of the regular season. It’s the kind of day that defines a contender: celebrating a win while simultaneously shoring up a weakness to keep the championship dream alive.
The Tigers now hold a nine-game lead over Cleveland in the division, with their playoff odds soaring above 98%.
Welcome back, Tarik Skubal. After a brief stint on the paternity list, the reigning AL Cy Young winner returned to the mound and looked every bit the part of an ace chasing his second trophy. Skubal carved through the Diamondbacks lineup for seven brilliant innings, allowing just one run while striking out eight. He improved to 11-3 on the season, lowering his ERA to a microscopic 2.15. The offense provided plenty of support, led by Riley Greene's 26th home run of the season and a multi-hit performance from Gleyber Torres. A diving catch by Parker Meadows in center field preserved the momentum, and the bullpen shut the door, securing a third straight win and pushing the Tigers to a season-best 63-46.
The celebratory mood was tempered by sobering news from the training room. Right-hander Reese Olson, a key piece of the rotation, will miss the remainder of the regular season with a strained shoulder suffered in a bullpen session. While there's a chance he could return for the playoffs, his absence created a major hole. President of baseball operations Scott Harris didn't wait. The team announced a trade to acquire starter Chris Paddack from the division-rival Twins, sending No. 14 prospect, catcher Enrique Jimenez, to Minnesota. Paddack, known for his fastball and aggressive mound presence, is expected to slide directly into Olson's spot, a move Harris praised as a strong fit for the team's pitching philosophy.
The loss of Olson hurts, but the acquisition of Paddack shows this front office is all-in on a deep October run. With Skubal anchoring the staff, Paddack provides a veteran arm to stabilize the back end. The Tigers' pitching depth is also getting a boost from the farm system. Prospect Troy Melton, the organization's No. 3-ranked pitcher, has been lights-out in Triple-A Toledo, posting a 2.99 ERA with 101 strikeouts. His emergence provides valuable insurance and another potential option should the need arise down the stretch. The message is clear: Detroit is building a pitching staff designed to withstand injuries and dominate in the postseason.
With a commanding nine-game lead in the AL Central and a fortified pitching staff, the Tigers are in an enviable position as August approaches. Wednesday was a microcosm of a championship season: overcoming adversity with decisive action while continuing to win on the field. All eyes will now turn to Chris Paddack's debut and whether he can provide the stability the team needs to not just coast into the playoffs, but make a serious run for the World Series.
