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Skubal's Scintillating Debut Stakes Dodgers to 1-0 NLDS Lead
Developing
In Short: Tarik Skubal's brilliant performance in his first playoff start helped the Dodgers take a 1-0 lead over the Braves.
Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in his first playoff start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching six innings and allowing just one run in a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Skubal's fastball reached 101 mph in the second inning, a speed he hadn't hit all season. He also generated eight swings-and-misses with his changeup, which averaged 98.1 mph.
Skubal's outing included a leadoff single to Drake Baldwin and a home run to Sean Murphy in the sixth inning, but he managed to limit the damage.
Skubal's 2.61 ERA in 10 starts this season and his 1.69 ERA in four playoff starts since last year have made him a reliable option for the Dodgers.
The 90-year-old Sandy Koufax, a legendary Dodgers pitcher, watched Skubal's performance from the second row, adding a special touch to the game.
What this adds
Skubal's performance in the playoffs has been consistent, with 63 strikeouts in his first seven postseason games, trailing only Bob Gibson.
What's still developing
- Tarik Skubal has often told teammates he doesn't like to showcase his best fastball early, preferring to leave something in the tank for when higher leverage situations demand them in the later innings.
- "I think I was just trying to match the temperature out there," Skubal said with a smile.
- "He was as advertised for the postseason," Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said, "and it was really fun to see him go out there and do his thing."
- Skubal has 63 strikeouts in the playoffs, trailing only Bob Gibson (74) for the most in a pitcher's first seven postseason games, according to ESPN Insights.
- "He's a bull," Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said of Skubal.
- Skubal proceeded to post a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts and along the way fit in seamlessly with his new teammates, most notably fellow lefty Blake Snell, who quickly became one of his closest friends.
- When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed him from his start in San Francisco on Sept. 25, after seven scoreless innings and just 75 pitches, he told him to get ready for Game 1, at which point Skubal basically asked: "Are you sure?"
- Then Skubal showed why he was the right choice all along.
- On Saturday, it sat comfortably at 103, but Skubal said he barely noticed.
- "It's amazing what your brain can do in certain circumstances and moments," Skubal said later.
- Through three innings, their offense did nothing against Braves opener Dylan Dodd.
- "He's one of those guys that you want in the front of your rotation."