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Dodgers to tab new ace in surprise Game 1 playoff rotation decision

The Dodgers have made a surprising choice for their postseason opener, tapping Tarik Skubal to take the mound for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. This decision gives the star left-hander, who arrived via an August trade from the Detroit Tigers and has yet to secure a World Series title, an immediate chance to lead the team's championship pursuit.

Skubal finished the regular season strongly with the club, registering a five-win, two-loss record and a 2.61 earned run average across ten post-deadline appearances following an elbow procedure that sidelined him during May. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw during a simulated workout on Wednesday after his regular-season finale, is now lined up to pitch Game 3 in Atlanta next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Blake Snell is positioned to handle starting duties for Sunday's Game 2, and Tyler Glasnow, who also participated in a simulated game Thursday, is expected to pitch in Game 4 while remaining an option out of the bullpen.

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