Los Angeles Dodgers starter Tarik Skubal will make his first start with the team against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
The Dodgers will be on the road for their series against the Cubs, with the first game coming Monday at 5:05 p.m. PT.
The Dodgers acquired Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, sending prospects River Ryan, Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith in the other direction.
Skubal is among the best pitchers in MLB, and has been for several years since announcing his arrival in 2023, when he posted a 2.80 ERA through 15 starts with the Tigers. He took over the American League in 2024, leading the AL with a 2.39 ERA and all of MLB with 6.7 bWAR and 228 strikeouts as he took home his first AL Cy Young award.
The left-hander led the AL in ERA and bWAR last year as well, posting marks of 2.21 and 6.4, respectively. He had 241 strikeouts on the year, and led MLB with a 0.891 WHIP.
While Skubal missed some time this season, undergoing a procedure in his elbow to remove loose bodies, he has still been fantastic when available. He has a 2.79 ERA through 16 starts, and has struck out 116 batters through 96.2 innings pitched. He has the best walk rate in MLB at 3.7%, and also ranks in the top 10% of MLB in whiff, chase and strikeout rate.
What Does the Dodgers’ Rotation Look Like With Tarik Skubal?
The Dodgers have taken to a five-man rotation since the injury bug caught some of their pitchers, as Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are all unavailable to throw.
Skubal will slot seamlessly into the Dodgers’ current rotation, which consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki, Eric Lauer and Emmet Sheehan. When everyone returns from injury, he’s sure to keep his spot as well.
With everyone healthy, the Dodgers would be able to maintain their six-man rotation, with Snell, Ohtani and Glasnow likely joining Skubal and Yamamoto, as well as one of Wrobleski and Sasaki.
Skubal will be a huge boost to the Dodgers’ rotation for the rest of the season, and aims to be a key piece of LA’s three-peat charge.
