Los Angeles has chosen left‑hander Tarik Skubal to pitch Saturday’s National League Division Series opener against Atlanta, manager Dave Roberts said Friday. The move gives Skubal a chance to start a potential winner‑take‑all Game 5 on five days’ rest. The Dodgers are still working out their rotation beyond the first game, but fellow left‑hander Blake Snell appears to be the likely choice for Game 2. Atlanta will use a reliever as an opener opposite Skubal, with the team still finalizing its pitching plan. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had been in line for the Game 1 start, threw a simulated game Wednesday and is expected to start Game 3 in Atlanta. The Braves’ strategy also accounts for Chris Sale, who pitched four outs in the winner‑take‑all wild‑card game and may need extra rest before a potential Game 2 start. The Dodgers’ depth allows them to give their starters extra time off, which Roberts believes puts them in a better position for later rounds.
