You’re waking up in the middle of January, looking at the frost on the window in Detroit, and honestly, the only thing that makes the single-digit temperatures bearable is the thought of a 98-mph heater at Comerica Park. I get it. We are deep in the "dark days" of the MLB offseason. If you’re searching for who’s pitching for the tigers today on tv, the short answer is: nobody. At least, not in a live, meaningful game.
It's January 18, 2026. The Tigers aren't taking the mound for a real contest today because we are still a few weeks out from the spring sunshine of Lakeland. But that doesn’t mean the pitching staff is quiet. Far from it.
The Current State of the Hill
Right now, the "pitching" is happening in front of mirrors, in high-tech lab facilities, and most notably, in the wallet of the Ilitch family. The big story right now—the one every Tigers fan is texting their dad about—is the absolute mess involving Tarik Skubal’s contract.
Skubal is coming off back-to-back Cy Young awards. The guy is a certified monster on the mound. But as of two days ago, the Tigers and their ace are miles apart in arbitration. He’s asking for $32 million for the 2026 season. The Tigers offered $19 million. That $13 million gap is literally the biggest in the history of MLB arbitration. It’s awkward. It’s frustrating. And frankly, it’s the only "pitching" news you’ll see on your TV screen today if you’re watching local sports news.
When will we actually see a game?
If you’re desperate to see live baseball, mark your calendar for February 21, 2026. That is the official kickoff for the Grapefruit League.
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The Tigers open up against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. If you want to see who’s pitching for the tigers today on tv once that date hits, you’ll be looking at FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (the channel formerly known as Bally Sports).
The spring schedule looks like this:
- Feb 21: @ Yankees (Tampa)
- Feb 22: vs. Baltimore Orioles (Lakeland) - The home opener!
- Feb 23: vs. Minnesota Twins (Lakeland)
Basically, we have about a month of waiting left.
The Projected 2026 Rotation
Since no one is throwing a competitive pitch today, let's talk about what the rotation is actually going to look like once the snow melts. Scott Harris has been working the phones, and while the "dream" roster involves adding top-tier arms like Michael King, the reality is a mix of homegrown talent and some familiar veterans.
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- Tarik Skubal: Assuming the arbitration drama doesn't result in a shocking trade, he is the undisputed #1.
- Jack Flaherty: He’s back and expected to be a massive anchor for this young staff.
- Reese Olson: He’s coming off some shoulder concerns from last year, but he's currently listed as "probable" for the start of the season.
- Casey Mize: The former top pick just avoided arbitration with a $6.15 million deal. He’s healthy and looking to finally have that true breakout year we’ve been waiting for since 2018.
- Troy Melton / Keider Montero: This fifth spot is going to be a battle in spring training.
Jackson Jobe, the prospect everyone is losing their minds over, is unfortunately expected to be out until at least September with an elbow injury. That hurts. A lot. It shifts a ton of pressure onto guys like Ty Madden and Brant Hurter to provide depth when the inevitable mid-season fatigue hits.
How to Watch the Tigers in 2026
Watching the Tigers on TV has changed a bit. If you’re still calling it "Bally Sports," you’re technically behind the times. It’s all FanDuel Sports Network Detroit now.
You can still get it through traditional cable, but if you’ve cut the cord, your options are basically DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo. There’s also a direct-to-consumer streaming option through the FanDuel Sports app, which usually runs around $20 a month. Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache to keep track of, especially when those random Friday night games move over to Apple TV+ or the occasional national broadcast on FOX.
What to watch for today
Since there's no game on, your best bet for "Tigers pitching" content on TV today is catching the replays of the 2025 season highlights. Most local Michigan sports networks run "Year in Review" marathons this time of year.
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You’ll see a lot of Skubal’s dominance and the emergence of the "pitching chaos" strategy that A.J. Hinch loves so much. The bullpen looks solid for 2026, with Kenley Jansen and Tyler Holton returning to lock down the late innings.
The real "action" today is the scouting department preparing for the international signing period and the front office trying to figure out how to bridge that $13 million gap with their best player. It’s not as exciting as a bases-loaded strikeout in the 9th, but it’s what determines if we’re actually going to compete for the AL Central this year.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, download the FanDuel Sports Network app now and check your login credentials. You don’t want to be scrambling on February 21st when the first pitch is thrown in Tampa. Also, keep an eye on the injury reports for Reese Olson and Ty Madden; their progress in the next three weeks determines if the Tigers need to go out and sign another veteran arm before camp opens in Lakeland.