Dodgers visit Tigers Aug. 28-30: Will Tarik Skubal pitch in series?

Tarik Skubal will return to Detroit later this month, and not just to pick up his belongings.

The Los Angeles Dodgers play the Tigers at Comerica Park on Aug. 28-30, which will mark the return of Detroit’s now-former ace and two-time reigning Cy Young winner.

Skubal was traded from the Tigers to the Dodgers on Sunday in a blockbuster move ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.

Skubal, 29, is expected to make his first start for the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. The question Tigers fans want to know: Would that put him line to start against Detroit at Comerica Park?

If he starts Tuesday and the Dodgers stick to pitching him every five games, then he would just miss the Tigers series (assuming the Dodgers don’t have any rainouts). But the Dodgers also have three days off between now and then, so if they decide to pitch Skubal every five days, then he would be in line to start against the Tigers, the team that drafted him in the ninth round of the 2018 draft and developed him into one of the best pitchers in the game.

• If Skubal pitches every five games: Tuesday at Cubs, Aug. 10 vs. Royals, Aug. 15 vs. Brewers, Aug. 21 vs. Pirates, Aug. 27 at Braves

• If Skubal pitches every five days: Tuesday at Cubs, Aug. 9 at Diamondbacks, Aug. 14 vs. Brewers, Aug. 19 at Rockies, Aug. 25 at Braves, Aug. 30 at Tigers

If Skubal pitches every five games: Tuesday at Cubs, Aug. 10 vs. Royals, Aug. 15 vs. Brewers, Aug. 21 vs. Pirates, Aug. 27 at Braves

If Skubal pitches every five days: Tuesday at Cubs, Aug. 9 at Diamondbacks, Aug. 14 vs. Brewers, Aug. 19 at Rockies, Aug. 25 at Braves, Aug. 30 at Tigers

Of course, the Dodgers could do a combination of both days and games between starts for Skubal. If they value making his starts at Dodger Stadium (why wouldn’t they), the every-five-games scenario lines up much better.

Skubal made his last start for the Tigers at Comerica Park on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits in 6⅔ innings against the Baltimore Orioles in a game the Tigers lost, 10-9, in 12 innings after leading 7-0.

Skubal left in the seventh inning to a standing ovation from Tigers fans.