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Skubal’s Dodgers Home Debut Shows Promise and Control Issues

The two‑time AL Cy Young winner pitched competitively in his first Dodger Stadium start, a performance that leaves questions about his short‑term fit and the price Los Angeles paid.

Overview

  • The Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal in a July deadline trade and he made his Dodger Stadium debut Tuesday in front of a loud crowd that included about 51,799 fans.
  • Skubal’s first two starts for Los Angeles have been mixed, with a six‑inning, two‑run outing at Wrigley followed by a five‑inning, three‑run performance in the 6‑5 home win.
  • In Tuesday’s game Skubal threw 95 pitches, struck out six, issued two walks, hit a batter and yielded a two‑run homer and an RBI single that exposed command problems.
  • Manager Dave Roberts praised Skubal’s competitiveness and said nerves and overexertion affected the home start, predicting Skubal’s command will improve in upcoming outings.
  • The trade cost the Dodgers three prospects for a pitcher who is a likely short‑term rental and a two‑time Cy Young winner, a move that reshapes Los Angeles’s rotation depth and postseason planning.