Tarik Skubal made his first start with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs, and it also turned out to be his very first start at Wrigley Field. The two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher has become the latest villain, and his first experience on the road did not disappoint.
After a 10-5 pounding in the series opener, Skubal pitched the middle game of the series, and Cubs fans let him hear it every time he stepped on the field. The left-hander only lasted six innings, and while Skubal gave up just a pair of runs, Javier Assad was better for the Cubs, giving them 5.2 innings of one-run ball. The Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the sixth and added on against the Dodgers’ bullpen to pull away and win 5-1, spoiling Skubal’s debut with a loss.
Following the game, Skubal was very complimentary to the Cubs fans at Wrigley Field in his very first start at the federal landmark.
Via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
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“It’s a ton of fun to play in front of crowds like that … I actually haven’t made a home start in the postseason. They’ve all been on the road. I’ve pitched in pretty good environments, and I’d say that’s up there with any of those postseason starts.” -Tarik Skubal
You know, just something to keep in mind for the future, considering that Skubal will be a free agent after the 2026 season. The Dodgers are rumored to be his preferred destination in free agency, and at the end of the day, if they make him a priority, then they’ll do anything possible to sign him.
Money will almost always win out in free agency, but it doesn’t hurt to get a glimpse of that Wrigley Field atmosphere that could potentially stick in Skubal’s head when he makes his next life-changing decision to sign the biggest contract of his career.
The Cubs and Dodgers could end up meeting in the postseason, as both teams are currently penciled into the Wild Card round. The Dodgers, as the No. 3 seed, would face the third Wild Card team, while the Cubs would host the second Wild Card team. If both teams advance in this scenario, they could match up in the NLCS.
Skubal’s already gotten a taste of a great Wrigley Field crowd, but it won’t compare to October baseball. Hopefully, Cubs fans get another chance to impress the left-handed starter in the playoffs and leave a lasting impression before he becomes a free agent.
