Tarik Skubal shares what it was like to take the mound in front of the home crowd for the first time as a Dodgers hurler
Tarik Skubal did not get to bask in the love of Chavez Ravine for very long after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the team embarked on a six-game road trip soon after acquiring the two-time American League Cy Young winner. He did his best to savor his first home start with LA, but the Kansas City Royals threatened to ruin his big night.
Following a Dodgers debut in which he struggled to find the strike zone, Skubal could not quite locate his fastball the way he wanted on Monday. The usually excellent left-handed starting pitcher stumbled at times, specifically against Jac Caglianone. KC’s 23-year-old slugger accounted for his team’s first three runs, which included a two-run 410-foot homer in the third inning. Skubal settled down, and LA eventually battled back.
The offense provided sufficient support for No. 29, who was admittedly not at his best. Freddie Freeman notched three hits and the game-winning RBI in the seventh inning, Shohei Ohtani recorded two knocks and scored the game-winning run after deftly stealing second base, and Max Muncy hammered a bases-clearing double in the sixth. Skubal picked up a no-decision, but he was grateful to leave the ballpark with a win and a memorable experience in Dodger Stadium.
He is cognizant of what went wrong in his shaky outing, which saw him allow three runs on four hits while recording six strikeouts and two walks in only five innings of work.
“I kind of sprayed the ball a little bit,” Tarik Skubal said after the squad’s 6-5 win, per SportsNet LA. “That’s kind of unusual for me, especially with fastball command and stuff like that. I thought I competed well and gave our team a chance to win. Our offense picked me up big time, defense picked me up big time and the bullpen was outstanding tonight. All in all, good team win, especially when I don’t feel like I performed up to my standard.”
“All in all, good team win. Especially when I don’t feel like I performed up to my standard… Great environment. The fans were great”
Tarik Skubal (5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 95 P) talks with the media after his home #Dodgers stadium debut. Get closer to the action with… pic.twitter.com/HVYs8pCMKQ
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 11, 2026
It is only a matter of time before the 29-year-old southpaw goes full Skubal and dominates on the mound. Even with this inconsistent start, the 2024 Pitching Triple Crown winner boasts impressive numbers. He has a 2.93 ERA, 128 strikeouts and a 0.93 WHIP through 107 2/3 innings pitched this season.
Skubal is confident in his process, and he should have considerable support from his new fans. The two-time ERA champion was appreciative of the warm reception that he received on a Monday.
“Great environment,” he noted. “The fans were great…. It felt like there was 40-50,000 {people in their seats} 40 minutes before the game. That stuff is special.”
Skubal’s next start is expected to take place on Sunday in LA versus the Milwaukee Brewers, in what could be a playoff preview. That would be a good time for him to showcase his truly elite form.
Tarik Skubal did not get to bask in the love of Chavez Ravine for very long after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the team embarked on a six-game road trip soon after acquiring the two-time American League Cy Young winner. He did his best to savor his first home start with LA, but the Kansas City Royals threatened to ruin his big night.