Dodgers give Skubal NLDS Game 1; Braves eye reliever opener
Dave Roberts confirmed Tarik Skubal for Saturday’s Division Series opener at Dodger Stadium; Atlanta is leaning toward a bullpen start after its Wild Card grind.
Dodgers plan: Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that ace Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon, ESPN reported. Starting Skubal in Game 1 lines him up for a potential winner-take-all Game 5 on five days’ rest. Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a lengthy simulated game Wednesday and is likely to start Game 3 on Tuesday in Atlanta, ESPN said, which would also put him in position to start twice if Los Angeles reaches the NLCS. Blake Snell appears the likely Game 2 choice; Tyler Glasnow is lined up for Game 4.
Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young winner acquired from Detroit at midseason, went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts for the Dodgers, ESPN reported. He noted a 1 p.m. PT start could mean triple-digit heat: “Hopefully everyone is drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated.”
Braves pitching crunch: A source told ESPN the Braves will use a reliever as an opener opposite Skubal, with options still being sorted Friday night. Manager Walt Weiss said the staff would iron out plans on the flight west after Thursday’s Wild Card clincher. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported Brent Suter as a top opener candidate and Dylan Dodd as another option, with Grant Holmes available for a multi-inning follow after his Wild Card workload. Chris Sale threw 21 pitches for four outs to close Wild Card Game 3 after starting Game 1 and will not be available before Game 2; Tyler Mahle will not be available before Game 3. Bryce Elder and Martín Pérez are unavailable for the NLDS, MLB.com said.
Series setup: Game 1 is Saturday at about 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX One, MLB.com reported. The Dodgers entered rested after the regular season; the Braves played three Wild Card games against the Phillies before flying to Los Angeles. Atlanta has fared better against righties than lefties this season, a factor that nudged the Dodgers toward Skubal and potentially Snell early, ESPN said.
What this means: Saturday’s opener pits a fully lined-up Dodgers rotation ace against a Braves staff still recovering from a short series — a matchup where Los Angeles’ depth and rest may matter as much as the first pitch.