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Skubal's Stellar Debut Stakes Dodgers to 1-0 NLDS Lead

4:08 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Tarik Skubal's impressive performance in his first playoff start helped the Dodgers secure a 1-0 lead over the Atlanta Braves.

Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in his first playoff start, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) at Dodger Stadium.

Skubal, who was named the starter for Game 1 despite initial expectations that Yoshinobu Yamamoto would take the mound, pitched six innings, striking out seven and allowing only one run.

Manager Dave Roberts praised Skubal's performance, emphasizing the importance of winning the opening game of the series.

To win Game 1 is certainly important," Roberts said. "We’re in a good spot with Blake Snell going tomorrow and knowing that we have Yamamoto for Game 3.

Skubal's outing was marked by his ability to match the high temperatures on the mound, which reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

"When you’re pitching at home, everyone gets on their feet, and that’s exciting, obviously, and it shows with what I’m trying to do on the mound," Skubal said.

The left-handed pitcher relied on a four-seam fastball that hit 101 mph and his signature changeup to dominate the Braves lineup.

"I’m trying to win every single game that I’m out there pitching, and that’s kind of how I approach the game of baseball," Skubal added.

Skubal retired 15 straight batters after Drake Baldwin led off the game with a single, showcasing his focus and efficiency.

"I think the juices flow a little bit different in postseason games," Skubal noted.

The Dodgers' decision to start Skubal in Game 1 was influenced by the NLDS schedule, which tipped the scales in his favor.

"So for us, I’ve always said with the four guys, it doesn’t really matter who. But I think we feel good about Tarik taking the baseball tomorrow," Roberts said.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in his first playoff start, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) at Dodger Stadium.
• Skubal, who was named the starter for Game 1 despite initial expectations that Yoshinobu Yamamoto would take the mound, pitched six innings, striking out seven and allowing only one run.
• Manager Dave Roberts praised Skubal's performance, emphasizing the importance of winning the opening game of the series.
• To win Game 1 is certainly important," Roberts said. "We’re in a good spot with Blake Snell going tomorrow and knowing that we have Yamamoto for Game 3.
• Skubal's outing was marked by his ability to match the high temperatures on the mound, which reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• "When you’re pitching at home, everyone gets on their feet, and that’s exciting, obviously, and it shows with what I’m trying to do on the mound," Skubal said.
• The left-handed pitcher relied on a four-seam fastball that hit 101 mph and his signature changeup to dominate the Braves lineup.
• "I’m trying to win every single game that I’m out there pitching, and that’s kind of how I approach the game of baseball," Skubal added.
• Skubal retired 15 straight batters after Drake Baldwin led off the game with a single, showcasing his focus and efficiency.
• "I think the juices flow a little bit different in postseason games," Skubal noted.
• The Dodgers' decision to start Skubal in Game 1 was influenced by the NLDS schedule, which tipped the scales in his favor.
• "So for us, I’ve always said with the four guys, it doesn’t really matter who. But I think we feel good about Tarik taking the baseball tomorrow," Roberts said.

What's still developing

• And despite Roberts suggesting on Tuesday that the Dodgers were still deliberating, Skubal revealed he received news of the Game 1 start upon coming out of his final outing of the regular season.
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• PT, Truist Park, FS1/Fox Deportes/Fox One Game 4*: Wednesday, Oct.
• “It’s not like any pitch is bigger than the next, but just understanding the situation (is key),” Skubal said.
• The efficiency was thanks, in large part, to a one-track mind Skubal has developed through his seven Major League seasons.
• Skubal learned he would start the opener immediately after his final regular-season outing in San Francisco.
• Skubal said the depth of the group made the choice something he was content to leave to the coaching staff.
• The past several weeks featured several noticeable slip-ups during NFL star Jason Kelce's broadcasting, including his latest while calling the Washington Commanders game on Sunday.
• As part of the network's panel of analysts for pregame, halftime, and postgame, Kelce referred to the Philadelphia Eagles as "we" during halftime of their game against the Chicago Bears. After colleague Pat McAfee called him out for repeatedly referring to the Eagles as "we," the former Philadelphia center apologized to Bears fans during the "MNF" broadcast.
• The left-handed ace was the Dodgers' biggest midseason acquisition when the two-time Cy Young winner joined the two-time defending World Series champions from Detroit in a blockbuster trade.
• Skubal finished the regular season 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA in eight starts for the Dodgers.

Sources

• Dodger Bluelink
• Dodger Insiderlink
• Fox Newslink
• Orange County Registerlink
• The Sporting Tribunelink
• True Blue LAlink
• Warpbeatlink
• West Hawaii Todaylink
• Bleacherreportlink
• Espnlink
• Silink
• Dodgersbeatlink
• WarpBeat — background on Skubal's Scintillating Debut Stakes Dodgers to 1-0 NLDS Lead link
• WarpBeat — background on Braves Advance to NLDS to Face Dodgers link
• Dodgers Nation — video link