RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesTarik Skubal will take the mound at Dodger Stadium on Monday, Aug. 10, with a lot more at stake than anticipated.
It will be a chance for the dominant pitcher to win over fans during his first home start in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. But it’s more crucial than that.
Skubal, the two-time Cy Young Award winner acquired by the Dodgers this month, has a team to help rescue.
Since acquiring the lefthander, the Dodgers have lost so much that Skubal might have thought he had been traded back to the Detroit Tigers . Actually, while the Dodgers have lost eight of nine games, the Tigers have won six of eight games.
Yes, Dodgers world has spun off of his axis.
That is why Skubal needs to be more than a great pitcher. As the Dodgers begin a three-game homestand against the Kansas City Royals , he needs to function like a superhero, minus the cape perhaps.
In his first start for the Dodgers, Skubal gave up two runs in six innings against the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles lost 5-1 at Wrigley Field. Skubal struck out six, walked two, gave up a home run and said he liked his stuff.
That stuff’s not good enough for now.
Over the past nine games, the Dodgers have failed to score three runs or more four times and are averaging 3.22 games per games. During that same stretch, the Dodgers opponents have scored 5.7 runs per games.
Skubal needs to handcuff the Royals and spark the Dodgers.
Now.
Tarik Skubal blunders during interview
On Aug. 7, Skubal appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take’’ and blundered. The host pointed out how difficult it must have been for Tigers fans to lose Skubal.
“And it sucks for me too,’’ Skubal said. “This wasn’t the way the season was supposed to go…
“I would love to play my whole career in Detroit. You know, I would love to. And hopefully those negotiations can pick back up in November once the playoffs are done.’’
Los Angeles doesn’t need its prized acquisition publicly entertaining the idea of returning to Detroit, much less before making his first start at Dodgers Stadium since the trade.
Over the past 24 games, Los Angeles is 9-15. And over the past 42, the Dodgers are 21-21, an extended stretch over which they have not played like favorites to win their third consecutive World Series title.
The Dodgers need a spark. It should come from the mound Monday from a pitcher who's focused on his new home.
Welcome to Los Angeles, Tarik Skubal.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tarik Skubal will make Dodgers home debut at crucial time
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