Skubal Leads Dodgers Past Braves 5-3 in NLDS Opener

Pitcher Tarik Skubal led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. Skubal allowed just one run across six innings in his postseason debut for the franchise, giving Los Angeles an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Skubal Dominates in High Heat

In temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit at Dodger Stadium, Skubal limited Atlanta to two hits. After giving up a leadoff single to Drake Baldwin, the left-handed starter retired 15 consecutive batters, striking out seven of them. His fastball reached 101 mph in the second inning—a personal season high—and averaged 98.1 mph throughout the game. He surrendered his only run on a home run by Sean Murphy to open the sixth inning.

Skubal’s performance drew praise from his teammates. “He was as advertised for the postseason,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said following the victory. Infielder Miguel Rojas called Skubal “a bull” and described him as an ideal pitcher to lead a starting rotation.

Los Angeles Power Hitting Secures Win

The Dodgers’ offense was held hitless through the first three innings by Braves opener Dylan Dodd. Los Angeles broke the tie in the fourth inning when Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run home run off reliever Victor Mederos.

After Atlanta reduced the margin to one run in the sixth inning, Kyle Tucker provided additional cushion for Los Angeles with a two-run home run off reliever AJ Smith-Shaver. Two batters later, Muncy hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 5-1. Atlanta attempted a comeback in the ninth inning when Ozzie Albies hit a two-run home run off reliever Tanner Scott, but the Dodgers held on to secure the two-run win.

Midseason Trade and Record Milestones

Los Angeles acquired Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 2 in exchange for outfield prospect Zhyir Hope and right-handed pitcher River Ryan. Skubal, who is nearing free agency, went on to record a 2.61 ERA in 10 regular-season starts for Los Angeles prior to the playoffs.

With his Game 1 performance, Skubal became the first pitcher in Dodgers franchise history to pitch at least six innings and allow two hits or fewer in a postseason debut. Skubal holds a 0.72 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in postseason play, the lowest in Major League Baseball history among pitchers with at least five playoff starts. He has recorded 63 strikeouts over his first seven postseason games, trailing only Bob Gibson’s record of 74 strikeouts.

Background

The Dodgers entered Game 1 following a four-day rest period after the conclusion of the regular season, holding simulated games and team events to keep players active. Manager Dave Roberts chose Skubal to start the opening game over Yoshinobu Yamamoto after Skubal pitched seven scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 25. The Dodgers and Braves will continue their playoff series at Dodger Stadium for Game 2.