How Tigers' schedule out of All-Star break has big Tarik Skubal trade implications

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The Detroit Tigers are coming out of the All-Star break with a 44-52 record and 6.5 games back in the AL Central. But, they're just 3.5 games back in the AL Wild Card, so things are far from over just yet.

Between now and the August 3 MLB trade deadline, what happens to this Tigers team will have a major impact on what Scott Harris and company do with Tarik Skubal.

As ESPN's Jeff Passan pointed out, the Tigers' schedule coming out of the All-Star break likely means Skubal will not be traded, as it's an incredibly easy schedule for Detroit between now and the trade deadline.

Tigers' easy schedule has big Tarik Skubal trade implications

"The Detroit Tigers' schedule before the trade deadline goes like this: Angels, Cubs, Royals, Orioles, A's," Passan writes. "Meaning Detroit will be playing the worst team in the American League, the second-worst team, the third-worst team, and a Baltimore team that was in the AL East basement for a time until it won four straight heading into the break."

While the Tigers still have to win these games, looking at the matchups they have between now and the August 3 trade deadline, it's hard not to see an easy path to some wins.

They begin with three games against the Los Angeles Angels, a team the Tigers should be able to beat. The Chicago Cubs are a tough draw, but their team has been inconsistent all year, and the Tigers could face Chicago while they're struggling for an easier series.

Detroit then has a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals, which is a matchup the Tigers should have the advantage in.

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With the Baltimore Orioles and Athletics on tap to close out July and begin August ahead of the deadline, those are two very easy matchups as well.

Overall, as the Tigers come out of the All-Star break, they have seven games against teams at 38-59, three against a 41-55 team, three against a 46-51 club, and just three against a team with a winning record in the 54-42 Cubs.

Looking at these matchups, the Tigers have a clear path to a winning record between now and the deadline. Just 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot, and 6.5 back of the division lead, the Tigers could easily be in playoff contention by August 3.

If that happens, Skubal is surely not going anywhere. This easy schedule for the Tigers leading up to the deadline might have a profound impact on the Tigers in 2026, at the trade deadline, and on the future of the franchise.