Cutters are Hard: Paul Skenes & Tarik Skubal

It’s the inaugural episode of Sources Tell with Jeff Passan — and he’s starting big. Jeff sits down with reigning Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes for an honest, inside-the-mind-of-an-ace conversation. They break down the art of pitching, their go-to weapons, and how they know when they’re completely locked in. Plus, they settle the debate: what’s harder — pitching or hitting in MLB? (0:00) Welcome to the show! (3:20) What’s harder, hitting or pitching? (6:15) Easiest pitch to throw (10:35) Velocity or control? (12:35) When you know you have command (15:25) Paul’s demeanor vs Tarik’s emotions (18:45) College careers (19:45) Pitchers developing later in career (20:45) Me vs. me (23:55) Spa days (25:35) Tarik’s complete game (29:25) Rounding up (30:30) Paul’s complete game loss (31:38) Failure (34:10) Favorite mound visit (35:10) Paul launching sweeper out of the stadium (37:55) Best pitch in baseball (40:25) Cutters are hard (41:00) Future of pitching (44:55) And the verdict is… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices