# Can the Tigers Survive the Absence of Tarik Skubal?

An episode of [Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1486883874), 5 May 2026, 56 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6818a1a4eb737caf8ca41879/e/69fa55c9296a29b4db64ecdb/media.mp3

Eno, Britt, and DVR break down a Tarik Skubal-less Detroit Tigers and ask whether the team can stay afloat until the reigning AL Cy Young winner gets back. Then, the trio turns to the LA Angels — what's gone wrong for the organization, and is trading Mike Trout actually on the table? Later, Eno and DVR sit down with The Athletic's Phillies writer Matt Gelb to talk through a potential homecoming for the Philly native Trout. Rundown: 3:55 Tarik Skubal to Have Elbow Surgery 7:55 Can the Tigers Stay Afloat? 13:54 Is the Bullpen Good Enough? 18:08 More of the Same in Anaheim 22:35 The Core Isn’t Bad!: Can It Improve Enough to Contend Though? 29:40 Is Trading Mike Trout on the Table? 37:06 Matt Gelb Joins the Show 37:24 Mike Trout to the Phillies? 39:47 The Phillies' Need for a Right-Handed Bat 45:00 The Phillies' Bullpen: Where Have the Strikeouts Gone? 46:56 Jesús Luzardo's Inconsistency 49:08 Adjustment for Aaron Nola? 53:12 Is Anything New in the Mattingly Era? Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Britt Ghiroli Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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