Tarik Skubal to start Game 1 of NLCS for Dodgers

Even with their backs against the wall, Roberts maintained confidence when asked if his star hurlers would be available out of the bullpen on Thursday, saying, “No. ... Our bullpen is rested, very, very capable. You’ve still got to win four, but obviously you’ve got to win one first, and I completely understand that. But the short answer, no.” It’s possible that the calculus could change if the Dodgers get down early in Game 4, but for now he appears to have full faith in Tyler Glasnow and his rested bullpen.

The Brewers made Yamamoto work, running up his pitch count before chasing him from the contest in the third inning when Christian Yelich delivered a go-ahead two-run single after Jake Bauers drew a surreal 12-pitch walk to load the bases. He struck out one batter and issued a pair of walks in the abbreviated 75-pitch outing. It was an uncharacteristic postseason stumble for Yamamoto, who has emerged as the Dodgers’ most reliable stopper over the last two Octobers. The 28-year-old right-hander is in line to start a potential Game 6 showdown and should be available out of the bullpen for the remainder of the series, if needed.

Skubal was excellent over the first three innings, but allowed a solo homer to Brice Turang that tied the game in the fourth, and a go-ahead single to Luis Lara in the fifth. The southpaw struck out seven in the contest against two walks, and allowed five hits. It was far from a poor effort from Skubal, but it’s fair to say we’ve seen the ace look better. It seems unlikely this will be the last time we see Skubal on the mound for Los Angeles, as he could be available for Game 4 or start Game 5 on regular rest.

Yamamoto has repeatedly found another gear when the postseason demands it, and he authored another masterpiece at Truist Park to put Los Angeles back in the metaphorical driver’s seat in the best-of-five series as they pursue their third consecutive World Series title. It was the first double-digit strikeout performance of his playoff career, and he allowed just five baserunners while needing an economical 98 pitches (62 strikes) to navigate seven impressive frames. The Dodgers grabbed an early lead on homers by Enrique Hernández and Freddie Freeman, while Yamamoto carried a shutout into the fifth inning before Atlanta finally broke through on a bases-loaded groundout by Drake Baldwin. He escaped the jam without further damage by coaxing a harmless ground ball from Ronald Acuña Jr. to extinguish the threat. He’ll presumably be available out of the bullpen for the final two games, should the Dodgers require his heroics.

Yamamoto said through an interpreter that he’s willing to pitch on short rest, or in relief, if needed, this postseason. That doesn’t come as a surprise after witnessing his herculean effort during last year’s World Series title run. He’ll get the ball for a pivotal showdown at Truist Park in Atlanta with the best-of-five series tied after a pair of games in Los Angeles.

Skubal offered a reminder of why he was the most coveted pitcher available at the trade deadline, delivering a dominant performance in his Los Angeles playoff debut. The 29-year-old impending free agent retired 15 consecutive batters following a leadoff single to Drake Baldwin, carrying a shutout into the sixth inning before Sean Murphy connected for a solo homer that represented the lone run against him. He threw 94 pitches (64 strikes) and allowed just four baserunners over six impressive frames. He figures to get the ball for a decisive Game 5 of the best-of-five series if it gets that far.

No surprises here, especially as the Braves have had more difficulty with left-handers this season. Skubal made 10 starts for the Dodgers following the mid-season trade from the Tigers, going 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 70/13 K/BB ratio across 62 innings of work. He has been brilliant in his postseason career as well, posting a 2.04 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with a 56/6 K/BB ratio in just 39 2/3 frames.

Tarik Skubal is expected to start Game 1, though the Dodgers still haven’t announced it. Yamamoto probably wouldn’t come back on Sunday after throwing Wednesday, so Blake Snell figures to get the Game 2 start. That’d leave Tyler Glasnow set up for Game 4 and Skubal for Game 5.

Not only did Skubal blank the Giants and reach double-digit strikeouts, he needed just 75 pitches to do it. The final tune-up before the playoff push couldn’t have gone much better, as he allowed just three hits — all singles — and didn’t issue a walk. Skubal will likely start Game 2 of the NLDS, but that’s more compliment to Yoshinobu Yamamoto than insult to him.

The unearned runs resulted from his own error in the fifth. After two infield singles, he tried to retire the lead runner at third on Dustin Harris’s sac bunt attempt but made a wild throw that allowed the runner to score. The loss means Yamamoto ends the regular season 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA. He’s currently fifth in the majors in ERA and second to Jacob Misiorowski with a 0.87 WHIP.