Tigers Try to Avoid Sweep at Diamondbacks

Detroit's ace Tarik Skubal takes the mound against Arizona's Zac Gallen in the series finale.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:19pm

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The Detroit Tigers are in danger of being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in their second series of the 2026 MLB season. After losing the first two games, the Tigers will turn to their ace Tarik Skubal on Wednesday afternoon to try and avoid the sweep. Skubal is coming off a strong six-inning shutout performance in his first start, while Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen struggled in his 2026 debut.

Why it matters

The Tigers are looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to the season, and avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks would be an important step. Skubal is a key part of Detroit's rotation, and a strong outing from him could help get the team back on track.

The details

The Tigers and Diamondbacks will square off in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field in Phoenix. Detroit will send Tarik Skubal to the mound, who struck out four and walked none in six scoreless innings against the Padres in his first start. Arizona will counter with Zac Gallen, who allowed four runs in four innings in his 2026 debut.

  • The game is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • Skubal's first start of the season was on March 27, 2026 against the Padres.

The players

Tarik Skubal

The Tigers' 24-year-old left-handed starting pitcher, who had a strong debut outing against the Padres.

Zac Gallen

The Diamondbacks' 26-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, who struggled in his first start of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“We need to come out and play our best baseball to avoid the sweep. Tarik has been throwing the ball well, and we're confident he can give us a chance to win today.”

— A.J. Hinch, Tigers Manager

What’s next

If the Tigers can avoid the sweep, they will look to build momentum heading into their next series against the Chicago Cubs.

The takeaway

This game represents an important early-season test for the Tigers, who are trying to bounce back from a disappointing start. A strong outing from Tarik Skubal could provide a much-needed boost for the team as they look to turn things around.