Brewers caught in rare piece of MLB history involving Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Brewers caught in rare piece of MLB history involving Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 1:18 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers finished a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers with an afternoon clash on Thursday at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. They lost, with their bullpen struggles on full display.

Tarik Skubal, the 2025 American League Cy Young winner, takes the mound for the Tigers.

And, timing is very unlucky for the Brewers as they face 2025 National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes on Friday night in a rare piece of MLB history.

This will mark only the second time a MLB team has faced the reigning Cy Young winners in back-to-back games.

Brewers are facing Tarik Skubal today in Detroit and Paul Skenes tomorrow at home, just the second time in MLB history that a team has faced reigning Cy Young Award winners in consecutive games.
— Sophia Minnaert (@SophiaMinnaert) April 23, 2026

The only other occurrence came in 2025 when the Boston Red Sox faced Skubal and Chris Sale on back-to-back days.

In another wonky twist, Brewers infielder David Hamilton was a member of last year’s Red Sox team, and he will now face back-to-back Cy Young winners for the second year in a row.

The balanced Interleague Play schedule beginning in 2023 made this scenario far more likely, although this is still going to be only the second time it has happened since then.

The Brewers face Skenes and the Pirates on Friday night at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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