Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal is gearing up for a busy October, showing a team-first mentality ahead of what’s surely to be a huge offseason for him.
Skubal, who joined the Dodgers just ahead of the trade deadline, was asked after his Game 1 win about potentially pitching more on short rest this postseason.
His answer backed up what his teammates have been saying about him: He’s all in on this season.
Will Tarik Skubal pitch again in the NLDS?
Skubal, who threw 94 pitches over six innings on Saturday, is likely already slotted into the starting spot for a potential Game 5 against the Braves if Atlanta can manage to win two of the next three games.
But he indicated he’s open to throwing more than just Game 5.
Asked if he would throw on short notice if the team needed him, Skubal didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely,” he told reporters including Dodgers Nation’s Noel Sanchez.
Dodgers fans might expect Skubal, who’s likely to get a nine-figure contract in the offseason, to protect himself, but his teammates know he’s in 100% with this team.
What do Dodgers teammates think of Tarik Skubal?
Skubal has made a quick impact on the Dodgers, especially with his very visible friendship with fellow ace Blake Snell.
He’s also endeared himself to position players, third baseman Max Muncy told Sanchez and other reporters on Friday.
“The guy’s awesome,” Muncy said. “He wants the ball. He wants to be out there. He wants to compete. He wants to be fiery.”
Even with what many experts believe to be a long-term contract in the neighborhood of eight years and more than $350 million in his future, Skubal hasn’t discussed the future with his teammates, Muncy said.
“All he’s talked about is just pitching here, competing with us, making it through this playoff run … We’ve had a lot of guys that have come over here and they’re they’re free agents next year and and they talk about it and it’s not a bad thing,” he said. “You’re supposed to talk about it. It’s an exciting time for a lot of these guys, but for him, like I said, he’s been so focused on what’s going on right now, that it’s been really cool to see.”
Skubal “absolutely” being willing to pitch on short rest is just further evidence of that team-first attitude.
Even knowing an injury could cost him millions of dollars this offseason, Skubal wants to win a World Series.
Have you been pleased with how Skubal has fit into the Dodgers roster?
