An OutKick/Fox News piece reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers, already the dominant team in Major League Baseball, are being tipped to acquire Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline. The article frames the potential move as the Dodgers seeking to avoid facing one of the game's best pitchers in the playoffs, adding to a roster the writer likens to a "Death Star" built through financial muscle, front-office savvy and strong player development.

The Dodgers entered Thursday atop the NL West and the overall standings at 61-33, with FanGraphs giving them a 100% chance of winning their division and a 97.4% chance of clinching a bye. ESPN's Jeff Passan reportedly identified Skubal as the Dodgers' "best match" in a trade; the left-hander has posted four consecutive seasons with an ERA of 2.80 or lower. The piece also highlights the club's depth, citing replacements such as Dalton Rushing, Andy Pages and Justin Wrobelski stepping up amid injuries, alongside bargain relievers like Will Klein (2.27 ERA) and Edgardo Henriquez.