'Is this really the Dodgers?' The hero of last year's World Series with three wins was not chosen; 'Skenes over Yamamoto' — Dodgers name Skenes as starter for NLDS Game 1

*This content was translated by AI.

Perhaps they had been waiting for this very moment. The pitching powerhouse of the Los Angeles Dodgers is set to showcase the rotation they carefully assembled for the postseason. The starting pitcher for NLDS Game 1 has been decided not to be Yoshinobu Yamamoto (28), a pride of the Dodgers, but Tatis Skenes (30).

MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), reported on the 3rd (Korean time) that "the Dodgers have selected two-time Cy Young Award winner Tatis Skenes as the starting pitcher for NLDS Game 1 against the Atlanta Braves on the 4th."

The Dodgers acquired Skenes from the Detroit Tigers ahead of the trade deadline. It was a bold move by the Dodgers in their pursuit of a three-peat, an achievement accomplished only three times in MLB history.

No introduction is needed for this pitcher. Skenes soared with a 2.04 ERA (ERA) in six postseason starts with Detroit. However, this will be his first postseason start at home.

In 10 games wearing the Dodgers uniform, Skenes has posted a 5-2 record with a 2.61 ERA. His overall season stats are 15 wins and 7 losses in 26 games over 158⅔ innings, with an ERA of 2.72.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched 185 innings in 28 games this season for a 14-9 record and a 2.53 ERA, is certainly no slouch. He also soared in the postseason with seven wins and one loss in 10 games, posting a 2.25 ERA. Last year, he pitched in three World Series games over 17⅔ innings, single-handedly securing three wins to earn Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors. Yet the Dodgers chose Skenes.

Atlanta recorded an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging percentage) of .730 against right-handed pitchers during the regular season but was somewhat weaker at .696 against left-handers. In a situation where choosing either pitcher would not seem unusual, to the point of being seen as a matter of "personal preference," this appears to be the most logical reason for selecting Skenes for Game 1. MLB.com reported that "this may have been one of the factors that led the Dodgers to choose Skenes over their ace and 2025 World Series MVP, Yoshinobu Yamamoto."

However, predictions are emerging that Yamamoto may not start Game 2 either. This is another aspect where the Dodgers' prestige can be seen. The reason is that Blake Snell (34), another two-time Cy Young Award winner who joined last year, is on the roster.

Snell displayed an overwhelming presence with a 1.90 ERA this season but left room for regret, finishing with just four wins and one loss in only nine starts due to injury effects and other factors. Of course, he returned after August and delivered dominant pitching. In past postseasons, he has also performed well with seven wins and five losses and a 3.27 ERA.

MLB.com explained, "By not starting Yamamoto in Game 1, the Dodgers have increased the likelihood that they will use him as a starter in only one game of this NLDS. This is because Yamamoto has never started on less than five days' rest throughout his career. Of course, last year in the World Series, where the championship was at stake, he pitched in relief after short rest and closed out Game 7 the day immediately following his start in Game 6."

Additionally, during a training session held on the 1st with media access restricted, Yamamoto threw simulation pitches for several innings, which also suggests that Snell may start Game 2.

With Sasaki Roki having pitched from the bullpen in his last three games to prepare for the postseason, it would not be surprising if anyone takes the mound at any time, including Tyler Glasnow, rising star Justin Robleski who has secured 12 wins (and five losses) this season, or Emmet Shehan, who posted a 0.53 ERA in three September games. The Dodgers will challenge for a three-peat based on their formidable starting rotation.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.