Russ Skubal, Tarik's dad, says he noticed the Northern California area code and city of my phone number. On the heels of his Cy Young season, Tarik Skubal, 28, is 10-2 with a 2.02 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts for every walk. "I encourage kids to play all sports," Tarik Skubal says, "but it's hard when 12-year-olds are getting recruited. Andrew didn't remember Tarik, and Tarik didn't remember Andrew, only his teeth. Kneeling bottom left, the proof: 9-year-old Tarik Skubal, with Andrew Keown standing directly behind him.