The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking well beyond their current National League Division Series (NLDS) matchup with the Atlanta Braves as they plan their pitching strategy for the postseason, signaling their intention to advance deep into October. Manager Dave Roberts has outlined a rotation that features Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, aiming to maximize rest and maintain flexibility through the NLCS and potentially the World Series.
Roberts indicated that Skubal, Snell, and Yamamoto are confirmed starters for the upcoming series rounds, with Glasnow serving as the fourth starter who played a significant role in last year’s Dodgers World Series title run. “It starts with having four talented guys. That’s the exercise — to figure out the best way to deploy all four starters,” Roberts said ahead of Saturday’s Game 1 against the Braves. He acknowledged the importance of winning the current series but emphasized the value of forward planning, especially given the Dodgers' bullpen concerns.
Saturday’s Game 1 showcased Skubal’s dominance, as the 29-year-old right-hander delivered seven strikeouts over six innings, allowing just one run and two hits while walking two. Skubal, who previously pitched for the Detroit Tigers, has made a significant postseason impression with a 2.04 ERA and 0.73 WHIP, accumulating 64 strikeouts in postseason play, second only to Bob Gibson’s record for the first seven appearances.
Braves manager Walt Weiss acknowledged Skubal’s effectiveness, describing the outing as a “rough ride” for his team. Weiss also noted uncertainty regarding the availability of his ace, 37-year-old Chris Sale, who had just pitched in the Braves’ wild-card clincher. “To me it’s not that big a deal when he pitches,” Weiss said. “The Dodgers can’t win it in two.” While the Braves are aware they must extend the series to have a chance, the Dodgers’ staff remains confident in their pitching depth.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed enthusiasm about the strength of the team’s starting rotation. He suggested that having such a deep group of top-tier starters “is very impactful for quality of life” throughout the grueling postseason schedule.
The Dodgers’ approach reflects a strategic blend of cautious optimism and calculated roster management, leveraging their pitching assets to maintain competitive advantages as they seek to capture a championship beyond the immediate hurdle of the Braves in the NLDS.