The Los Angeles Dodgers are four victories away from returning to the World Series, and manager Dave Roberts has revealed how his team plans to attack the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
Roberts announced Friday that Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 on Sunday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto scheduled to pitch Game 2 on Monday. The decision gives Los Angeles two of baseball's most accomplished pitchers to begin a series that features the National League's top two regular-season teams.
The announcement also provides another reminder of the extraordinary pitching depth the Dodgers have assembled. Los Angeles is attempting to win its third consecutive World Series championship, and its starting rotation could become the biggest obstacle standing between Milwaukee and its own championship ambitions.
Tarik Skubal gets another opportunity to set the tone
Skubal will take the mound Sunday at American Family Field after delivering an excellent performance against the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series. The two-time Cy Young Award winner allowed one run on two hits over six innings in Game 1, striking out seven batters while issuing two walks.
Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting Game 2 for the Dodgers in the NLCS against the Brewers, per @ByJackHarris https://t.co/e8wI91D6uF
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 9, 2026Los Angeles acquired Skubal from the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster August trade, adding another established ace to an already talented pitching staff. His arrival strengthened a rotation that included Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, giving Roberts multiple options capable of controlling a postseason game.
Starting Skubal in Game 1 is an important decision because Milwaukee owns home-field advantage in the series. The Brewers finished the regular season with 103 victories, while the Dodgers reached the 100-win mark. A strong opening performance would allow Los Angeles to immediately put pressure on a team that has been extremely difficult to beat throughout the year.
Skubal's ability to limit baserunners and generate strikeouts could be particularly valuable against a Milwaukee lineup featuring Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio and William Contreras.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives Dodgers another major advantage
Yamamoto will follow Skubal in Game 2 after producing one of the Dodgers' best pitching performances against Atlanta. The right-hander struck out 10 batters over seven innings, allowing only one run on four hits in a victory that helped Los Angeles regain control of the Division Series.
The performance continued an impressive postseason history for Yamamoto, who earned World Series MVP honors in 2025. His ability to deliver deep, efficient outings gives Roberts another dependable option before the series shifts to Dodger Stadium. Milwaukee is expected to rely heavily on its own talented young pitchers, including Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson. The Brewers have demonstrated throughout the season that they can compete with baseball's most talented rosters, but matching Los Angeles on the mound will be a significant challenge.
The Dodgers also have decisions remaining beyond their first two starters. Roberts indicated Friday that the team was considering adding another pitcher to its NLCS roster, a move that would require removing a position player.
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Dodgers still have questions despite pitching advantage
One concern involves veteran utility player Miguel Rojas, who left Game 3 against Atlanta because of lower back discomfort. Rojas participated in baseball activities Friday, but Roberts stopped short of confirming his availability for the championship series.
The Dodgers eliminated Atlanta in four games, while Milwaukee also advanced with a four-game victory over San Diego. The teams now meet in the NLCS for the second consecutive postseason, creating another opportunity for the Brewers to challenge the defending champions. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, with Game 2 following Monday at 5 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles has plenty of offensive talent, including Shohei Ohtani, but its starting pitching could determine how this series unfolds. By sending Skubal and Yamamoto to the mound in Milwaukee, Roberts is giving the Dodgers an opportunity to establish control before returning home.
