Tarik Skubal had a request of Alex Bregman during a game between them on Wednesday, and Bregman actually complied.
Skubal’s Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Mich., despite Bregman’s best efforts. Bregman went 3-for-4 in the game. He swung at the first pitch from Skubal in each of his first two at-bats. Bregman hit a single in his first at-bat and a home run in his second at-bat.
Realizing that Bregman was beating him on first-pitch strikes, Skubal called out to Bregman in between innings and asked the Red Sox third baseman to take a pitch in his next at-bat. Bregman actually obliged and did not swing at the first pitch of his third at-bat against Skubal. He took the pitch for a strike, but then he reached out and poked an 0-1 pitch into center field for another hit to make himself 3-for-3.
Tarik Skubal telling Alex Bregman to take a pitch (because he's ambushed him the first two ABs).
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 15, 2025
Bregman does. And then he gets a hit.
Classic. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/4QvwZQkopB
Taking a pitch didn’t even benefit Skubal. Maybe next time he’ll have to ask Bregman not to get a hit.
Skubal was charged with all five runs over 6.1 innings. He gave up 7 hits and struck out 11 batters while taking a no-decision. Bregman, meanwhile, has been a great acquisition for Boston. The 31-year-old entered Thursday batting .314 with a .981 OPS in 44 games. And he certainly seems to have Skubal’s number.
