Dodgers turn to Tarik Skubal for NLCS Game 1 opener vs Brewers; Yoshinobu Yamamoto set for Game 2

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal celebrates after striking out Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a National League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will start Tarik Skubal against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, last year's World Series MVP, will start Game 2 on Monday at American Family Field, manager Dave Roberts said Friday.
Skubal also started Game 1 of the NL Division Series. The two-time Cy Young Award winner pitched six dominant innings, allowing one run and two hits, in a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The left-hander struck out seven and walked two.
Yamamoto started Game 3 of the NLDS, and struck out 10 over seven innings. The right-hander allowed one run and four hits to go with one walk.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell struggled as the Game 2 starter against the Braves, who won 3-2 to tie the best-of-five series 1-1. The Dodgers went on to eliminate the Braves, 3-1.
Roberts said the Dodgers were in discussions about adding a pitcher for the best-of-seven NLCS, which would require them to drop a position player. Rosters are due Sunday morning.
Miguel Rojas exited Game 3 against the Braves during an at-bat with lower back pain. The utility player underwent imaging, which mostly showed prior back issues. He took ground balls and a couple rounds of batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws to the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Mike Stewart
Rojas, 37, has said he's leaning toward retiring at the end of the season.
“Today was encouraging,” Roberts said. “We still have a flight to get on and see how he comes in tomorrow for the workout there, so there’s nothing definitive.”
More MLB news




