The Los Angeles Dodgers will open their National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium with Tarik Skubal on the mound, a move that underscores their advantage over a fatigued Atlanta pitching staff. Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is rested and ready after a long stretch at home, while Atlanta’s rotation is stretched thin following a gruelling three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Atlanta’s manager Walt Weiss acknowledged the challenge ahead, framing the series as a David versus Goliath contest. “You’ve got to go through the Dodgers if you want to get to the top of the mountain,” Weiss said. “Everyone knows the Dodgers have a juggernaut, but we played well against them this year. I know that doesn’t carry a whole lot of stock. Once the playoffs begin… everybody starts at zero.”
The Braves face uncertainty over the availability of their ace Chris Sale and No. 2 starter Tyler Mahle, who may not be ready until the series returns to Atlanta. Sale’s recent workload was heavy — he started Game 1 against the Phillies and then came back in relief to secure a four-out save in the deciding game, leaving questions about his stamina for the NLDS opener.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has handed the ball to Skubal for Game 1, with Blake Snell scheduled for Game 2 and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Game 3. Skubal’s first postseason start at home is highly anticipated. Although he has six playoff starts over the past two years with Detroit, all were on the road. “It’s an honor and a privilege to start Game 1,” Skubal said. “Usually when I walk out onto the field in a playoff game, it’s usually received with a lot of boos. So, I’m excited to get some cheers in there for us.”
Skubal is already attracting attention as the most sought-after free-agent pitcher since Yamamoto, but his focus remains firmly on winning a World Series with the Dodgers. Max Muncy, the Dodgers’ third baseman, praised Skubal’s competitive spirit. “He wants the ball. He wants to be out there. He wants to compete. He wants to be fiery,” Muncy said. “Every time (Roberts) has taken him out, it’s been an argument to get him out of the game, and that’s pretty special.”
Muncy added that Skubal has not talked about free agency or pitch limits with his teammates. “All he’s talked about is just pitching here, competing with us, making it through this playoff run,” Muncy said. “That’s rare, and it’s pretty special to see that out of a guy who’s looking at a big payday coming up.”
Despite the Dodgers fielding one of their deepest and most talented postseason teams in 14 years, not everything is smooth. Instead of using free-agent signing Edwin Diaz as closer, Roberts plans to rely on Tanner Scott, who lost the closer role last season. First baseman Freddie Freeman is managing knee tendinitis and has hit only one home run in his last 66 games. Meanwhile, four-time MVP designated hitter Shohei Ohtani remains physically compromised and cannot pitch in the series due to left knee soreness and a strained biceps.
Roberts expressed guarded optimism about Freeman’s health but was less certain about Ohtani’s condition. “Shohei’s not 100%, but he’s going to be in the lineup,” Roberts said. “I think that most players that are performing now are not 100%. Obviously with Shohei, it’s a bigger deal because of the player, but there’s a lot of players that are not 100%, and they’ve just got to manage it.”
Ohtani has struggled at the plate since August 18, hitting .198 with 34 strikeouts in 109 plate appearances before a stint on the injured list in September. Since his return, he has hit .238 with one extra-base hit in five games. He took late batting practice Friday night, hoping to be ready for the series opener in 103-degree heat. “It feels really good overall,” Ohtani said. “I do feel like my swing is in a better place, feels smooth, and just little tweaks here and there, and I’ll be ready for (Saturday).”
No matter his physical state, Ohtani is determined to stay in the lineup and contribute. The Dodgers’ rested pitching and home advantage set the tone, but the Braves’ resilience and Atlanta’s pitching fatigue will shape the early innings. Skubal’s start is the Dodgers’ strongest statement as the series begins.
According to Yahoo Sports.
