The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't secure the No. 1 seed in the National League, but they secured a first-round bye. Now, after the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies in three Wild Card games, they'll welcome the Braves out West for Game 1.

While the Braves don't have a set-in-stone plan for Game 1 of the NLDS, the Dodgers do have their starter for the first game finally determined.

According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, the Dodgers will be turning to Tarik Skubal, their mid-season trade deadline pickup, to start the Dodgers' quest for a three-peat this October.

Dodgers set to turn to Tarik Skubal as NLDS Game 1 starter

"Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series for the Dodgers, according to multiple people familiar with the club's plans," Ardaya reports.

Skubal has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last three seasons, but it would not have been a huge surprise had the Dodgers elected to go with Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the Game 1 starter.

Yamamoto was about as clutch as can be in the postseason last year, while Skubal was just acquired at the MLB trade deadline in 2026.

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But the Dodgers are opting for the two-time Cy Young winner acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the beginning of August as their NLDS Game 1 starter.

This season, Skubal had a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts and a 12-7 record in 26 starts with a 0.96 WHIP in 158.2 innings pitched.

Yamamoto had a 2.53 ERA with 182 strikeouts, a 14-9- record, and a 0.87 WHIP in 185 innings pitched, all for the Dodgers, during the 2026 season.

Skubal and Yamamoto will get at least one start in the NLDS, and if the series goes into Game 4 or 5, they'll each be lined up to make a second start before the NLCS.

But at least for the Dodgers fans, their 2026 postseason run will begin at home against the Braves with Skubal, their big trade deadline acquisition, on the mound this weekend.

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