Skubal set for 1st Dodgers home start -- and another 2x Cy winner will follow
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PHOENIX -- The mere sight of Tarik Skubal clad in Dodger blue in the home dugout at Dodger Stadium was a spectacle in and of itself the day after the southpaw was dealt from Detroit to L.A. The excitement for Skubal has only continued to build since then, and just over a week removed from the trade, he is set for his first home start as a Dodger.
Coming off a quality start in his team debut, Skubal will take the mound for Monday night's series opener against the Royals at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers were not exactly lacking for stars before Skubal's acquisition, but he is such a special talent that they are expecting his first home start to come with a heightened energy at the ballpark.
"We've made some Deadline acquisitions with some top-end guys, but this guy is something special," manager Dave Roberts said. "I think there was a lot of anticipation. There's going to be a lot of excitement. I think he's going to be excited to pitch at home at Dodger Stadium in a Dodger uniform. I'm looking forward to it."
Skubal has pitched at Dodger Stadium once, allowing four runs across five innings as a Tiger in the Dodgers' 2025 home opener.
Having spent his entire career in the AL Central before being traded to the Dodgers, Skubal has plenty of familiarity with the Royals. He last faced them on July 24, striking out a season-high 12 batters across 7 1/3 innings. Overall, he holds a 3.86 ERA in 19 career games (17 starts) against Kansas City.
After Skubal made his first start as a Dodger on Tuesday, striking out six while allowing two runs across six innings at Wrigley Field, he described it as feeling similar to his big league debut.
"Kind of same type of vibe in terms of the nerves running through," he said. "But I think that's all good stuff."
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Skubal's outing on Monday will be the first of back-to-back starts by two-time Cy Young Award-winning left-handers. Blake Snell is set to return from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, giving the Dodgers quite the 1-2 punch to kick off their homestand.
"It’s a lot to take in as an offense," Roberts said. "So it feels really good to have those two guys on our side."