Skubal Takes the Mound
Los Angeles has picked ace Tarik Skubal to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon. Skubal is a left hander who won the past two American League Cy Young Awards. He joined the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster trade at midseason.
Team officials considered starting Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 1 instead. That move would have kept both pitchers available for a potential Game 5. Dodgers staff also looked at team statistics showing the Braves performed better against right handers than lefties this season. Putting Skubal on the mound for Games 1 and 5 fits that strategy, and fellow southpaw Blake Snell could pitch in Game 2.
Atlanta Plans in Flux
The Braves are still figuring out their pitching rotation after winning Game 3 of their wild card series against Philadelphia on Thursday night. Manager Walt Weiss said the team would iron out pitching plans during the flight to Los Angeles. Weiss mentioned he will need to rely heavily on his bullpen for the first two games.
Ace Chris Sale was lined up to start Game 2 on Sunday. However, Sale pitched four outs in the wild card game on Thursday, throwing 21 pitches. Weiss stated that starting Sale in Game 2 remains on the table, but health comes first. The team plans to err on the side of giving him more rest if needed.
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