Yankees ace Max Fried deferred to Tigers star Tarik Skubal, allowing him to start the MLB All-Star Game amid another Cy Young push.

Detroit – The genesis of Tarik Skubal being named the American League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game Tuesday began with a phone call from Yankees ace Max Fried. “It was actually a really cool conversation from his perspective, because of his history with Atlanta and all that stuff,” Skubal said.

Before Tarik Skubal learned he’d be the American League’s starter at the All-Star Game, he received a call — and a question — from Max Fried.