Tarik Skubal Named Dodgers' Game 1 Starter for NLDS Against Braves

Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Friday that Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves this Saturday. The left-hander, who posted a 5-2 record and 2.61 ERA in 10 starts after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers, is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch. Starting Skubal in the opener allows him to return for a potential Game 5 on five days' rest.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss confirmed the Braves will utilize a reliever as an opener for Game 1. The team's rotation remains unsettled after Chris Sale threw 21 pitches to record four outs during Thursday’s Wild Card Series clincher against the Philadelphia Phillies. While Weiss stated a Game 2 start for Sale remains possible, the team is considering giving the 37-year-old veteran extra rest.

Los Angeles has tentatively lined up Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start Game 3 in Atlanta on Tuesday. Yamamoto participated in a lengthy simulated game Wednesday, and the current alignment positions him to start twice if the team advances to the NLCS. Left-hander Blake Snell is the likely candidate for Game 2, while Tyler Glasnow is expected to start Game 4.

The Dodgers' decision to lead with left-handers Skubal and Snell follows seasonal data showing the Braves posted a .696 OPS against lefties compared to a .730 OPS against right-handed pitching. Temperatures for the Saturday afternoon opener at Dodger Stadium are expected to reach triple digits.