​The Los Angeles Dodgers have been widely viewed as the favorites to land Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal if he becomes available before the MLB trade deadline. But they may not be alone for long. Two National League contenders have every reason to aggressively pursue the reigning American League Cy Young winner, and if either one is willing to outbid the Dodgers, the balance of power in baseball could shift dramatically. The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies should both be all-in.MORE: MLB Power Rankings after the 2026 All-Star breakAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMilwaukee has emerged as one of the best teams in baseball this season and has positioned itself as a legitimate World Series contender. Adding Skubal would take that to another level.Imagine a postseason rotation led by Tarik Skubal and Jacob Misiorowski. One is already one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, while the other has developed into one of the game’s brightest young stars. That duo alone would make the Brewers an incredibly difficult team to beat in a best-of-five or best-of-seven playoff series.Because Skubal is scheduled to become a free agent after the season, Milwaukee also wouldn’t be taking on a long-term financial commitment, making the trade even more appealing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPhiladelphia has never been afraid to make a splash when it believes a championship is within reach. Trading for Skubal would be exactly that.A rotation featuring Zack Wheeler, Tarik Skubal, and Cristopher Sánchez would arguably be the best trio of starting pitchers anywhere in Major League Baseball.The Phillies already have the experience and star power to compete with any team in October. Adding another ace could be the move that finally puts them over the top.It’s easy to connect the Dodgers to every superstar who becomes available. They have the prospect capital, the financial flexibility, and the reputation of making blockbuster moves.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat doesn’t mean other contenders should simply step aside. If the Tigers ultimately decide to move Skubal, both the Brewers and Phillies need to do everything possible to outbid Los Angeles.Championship windows don’t stay open forever, and opportunities to acquire a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber almost never come along. For Milwaukee and Philadelphia, this isn’t just about adding an ace.It’s about preventing the Dodgers from doing the same. If either club is serious about winning the 2026 World Series, pursuing Tarik Skubal should be at the very top of its trade deadline priorities.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —