<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal reacts after a play at home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Melissa Tamez\/AP Photo\/Melissa Tamez<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal makes his way to the bullpen prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Melissa Tamez\/AP Photo\/Melissa Tamez<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Melissa Tamez\/AP Photo\/Melissa Tamez<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal celebrates as he walks back to the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Melissa Tamez\/AP Photo\/Melissa Tamez<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal makes his way to the bullpen prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Melissa Tamez\/AP Photo\/Melissa Tamez<\/p>\n
CHICAGO (AP) \u2014 Tarik Skubal was booed during his Los Angeles Dodgers debut on Tuesday night. No big deal, he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The two-time Cy Young Award winner actually enjoyed the chilly reception.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Skubal pitched six effective innings in his first start with Los Angeles, but the Dodgers managed just four hits in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The ace left-hander was serenaded with boos when he was introduced with the starting lineups and once again when he went out to the mound for his first career appearance at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether they\u2019re rooting against you or for you, I love the fans,” Skubal said. \u201cThis game is about the fans as much as it\u2019s about the players. But the fans create the environment. It’s a ton of fun to play in front of crowds like that, even if they\u2019re booing me or whatever it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old Skubal was acquired in a trade with Detroit on Saturday night. The Dodgers are hoping he can play a key role in its third consecutive World Series championship. He went 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in his last six starts for the Tigers, striking out 50 in 37 innings.<\/p>\n
Skubal, who is eligible for free agency after this season, surrendered two runs and four hits in his first start with LA. He struck out six and walked two while throwing 85 pitches, 51 for strikes.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cTarik’s stuff was good. It was good,\u201d Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. \u201cI think that this was the first time I saw him live, but even when it\u2019s not perfect, it\u2019s still pretty dang good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skubal\u2019s arrival cemented the Dodgers\u2019 status as the majors\u2019 most imposing franchise and public enemy No. 1 for fans of other teams. A plane flew over Wrigley hours before his first start with a banner that read \u201cTHE DODGERS RUINED BASEBALL,\u201d but the message appeared to be upside down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure that\u2019s not going to be the only, you know, rowdy atmosphere on the road,\u201d Skubal said. \u201cI plan on pitching in front of those atmospheres for the rest of the season. And then obviously when it comes postseason time, I\u2019ll be ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skubal struck out three while retiring his first six batters. He surrendered a leadoff homer to Dansby Swanson on his first pitch of the third, and Chicago put two runners on with two down. But Skubal retired Alex Bregman on a flyball to center fielder Andy Pages, ending the inning.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Skubal allowed a second run on Nico Hoerner’s infield chopper with two down in the sixth, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad he\u2019s on our side,\u201d shortstop Mookie Betts said of Skubal. \u201cHe did an amazing job tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NL West-leading Dodgers backed Skubal with a couple of stellar defensive plays. Pages robbed Seiya Suzuki and Pedro Ram\u00edrez with two terrific catches, and Kyle Tucker made a lunging grab on Hoerner\u2019s sinking liner to right in the second.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean Pages in center, he covered a ton of ground on all those kind of soft flyballs, and Tuck made some good plays, too,\u201d Skubal said.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
Skubal threw to Ben Rortvedt, who was behind the plate a day after he was acquired in a trade with the New York Mets. The Dodgers also activated catcher Hunter Fedducia, who came over in a deal with Tampa Bay on Monday. Eliezer Alfonzo was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and fellow catcher Chuckie Robinson was designated for assignment.<\/p>\n
Catching depth is an issue for Los Angeles at the moment. Will Smith is working his way back from a neck issue, and Dalton Rushing was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday with right elbow inflammation.<\/p>\n
MRI results revealed a slight UCL tear for Rushing, who won’t be able to throw for a few weeks. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to catch again this season.<\/p>\n
Skubal praised Rortvedt’s work in the tough spot.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s great back there,\u201d he said. \u201cCalled a great game, you know, on the same page all night. What he was trying to do feeds right into what I\u2019m trying to do on the mound.”<\/p>\n