Tarik Skubal’s first line as a Dodger will embody a loss. His first impression needs to be remembered in another way.
The 2-time AL Cy Younger Award winner delivered six efficient innings Tuesday at Wrigley Subject, limiting the Chicago Cubs to 4 hits and two earned runs in Los Angeles’ 5-1 defeat. He struck out six, walked two, and threw 51 of 85 pitches for strikes days after Detroit traded him Saturday.
Chicago greeted baseball’s latest superteam villain with boos, then greeted Skubal’s first pitch of the third inning with Dansby Swanson’s leadoff residence run. It was one of many few clear photographs Chicago managed. Skubal retired the primary six hitters, three by strikeout, and stranded two runners within the third by getting Alex Bregman to fly out.
The Dodgers didn’t purchase Skubal for nice debuts. They acquired him as a result of his finest stuff can change October. On Tuesday, that stuff arrived instantly—even when run assist didn’t.
Skubal’s Arsenal Already Appears to be like October-Prepared
GettyTarik Skubal #29 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches towards the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Subject on August 04, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)
Skubal’s Statcast breakdown informed a extra spectacular story than the field rating. His four-seam fastball and sinker every averaged 97.3 mph, up 0.6 and 0.7 mph from their seasonal marks. He topped out at 99.3, generated 13 whiffs on 43 swings, and produced a 30% whiff price. Sixteen balls in play averaged solely 78.8 mph, with two categorized as hard-hit.
The changeup was his sharpest finisher. Cubs hitters missed 4 of 9 swings towards it, a 44% whiff price. His slider produced two whiffs on three swings, whereas the curveball provided his sixth strikeout. Skubal additionally maintained his velocity by way of the sixth: his sinker averaged 97.1 and his four-seamer 97.3 within the ultimate inning.
There have been imperfections. Solely 42% of his pitches landed within the strike zone, and his first-pitch strike price was 46%. These gaps helped create two walks and prolonged innings. Nonetheless, Chicago’s second run scored on Nico Hoerner’s two-out infield chopper within the sixth—not precisely an offensive breakthrough.
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Cubs Win the Outcome, however Skubal Modifications Dodgers’ Ceiling
GettyTarik Skubal #29 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after permitting a run towards the Chicago Cubs throughout the sixth inning at Wrigley Subject on August 04, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)
Earlier than Tuesday, Skubal owned a 4.12 ERA throughout three profession begins towards the Cubs, with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 19.2 innings. His final assembly was dominant: one run over 7.2 innings for Detroit on June 6, 2025.
This debut match that development. Andy Pages made two terrific catches, Kyle Tucker added a lunging seize, and Skubal saved Los Angeles inside one run when he exited. The bullpen and offense turned a good sport right into a lopsided ultimate, not the beginning pitcher.
Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned Skubal is “a canine” between the strains and humble away from the sector. One night time supported the primary half. Skubal attacked with velocity, missed bats with each secondary pitch, and refused to let Wrigley’s reception grow to be the story.
The loss is a part of Skubal’s document. The warning belongs to the remainder of the Nationwide League.
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