Tarik Skubal makes debut for Dodgers in loss to Cubs
Pitcher Tarik Skubal started his first game with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs, allowing two runs over six innings in a 5-1 defeat.
Los Angeles right-hander Tarik Skubal made his first start for the Dodgers on Tuesday at Wrigley Field, surrendering two runs on four hits over six innings as the Chicago Cubs won 5-1. Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, struck out Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong with a 99 mph fastball to begin the game and later gave up a solo home run to Dansby Swanson. He finished with six strikeouts, but the Dodgers could not overcome the early deficit.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the heightened scrutiny facing the team after acquiring Skubal, noting that “everyone can’t play here for the Dodgers.” Roberts said Skubal “just wants to get this first one out of the way” and added that the pitcher’s start was “a big deal for baseball.”
Skubal, who had difficulty sleeping the night before, described the experience as feeling like a major-league debut. He said he plans to continue pitching in hostile environments throughout the season. Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner joked that “there’s nothing he really throws that you can hit hard,” after a ground ball bounced high before being fielded.
The game, attended by more than 40,000 fans and broadcast nationally, highlighted both Skubal’s power potential and the challenges of meeting expectations as a high-profile acquisition for a team seeking a third consecutive World Series title.