Dave Roberts shakes up the rotation by slotting Blake Snell into Game 2, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s shift to Game 3.
At the time of writing, the Los Angeles Dodgers are currently a few innings deep into Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
Prior to first pitch, the team revealed that Blake Snell will take the mound in Game 2 of the series.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been pushed back to Game 3, meaning this will be his lone start of the NLDS.
Even if this series goes to five games, there's realistically no chance Yamamoto pitches again, even if it's out of the bullpen.
Tarik Skubal should be the Game 5 starter, leaving Game 4 still up for grabs as no starter has officially been announced.
According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, manager Dave Roberts said he's going with Skubal, Snell, and Yamamoto in that order as he's already carefully navigating the National League Championship Series rotation.
Dodgers are thinking two steps ahead
Roberts has been here a time or two before, so he has every right to do whatever he pleases with this rotation.
Skubal getting the start in Game 1 doesn't necessarily mean he's better than Snell or Yamamoto, but that's how fans will take it as teams typically throw their best arm out there in the first game of the series.
Obviously, the Dodgers know they can't overlook the Braves in this best-of-five series, but with a loaded rotation like this one, LA knows they're built to win best-of-seven series.
Snell and Yamamoto's placements in the NLDS rotation were carefully considered, and Yamamoto taking the mound in Game 3 could mean he's the Game 1 NLCS starter, though it's extremely important the Dodgers don't look past the No. 3 seed who just won a thrilling three-game Wild Card series.
Tyler Glasnow is the expected Game 4 starter
There's a chance either team ends up with a sweep and there isn't even a fourth game, but if there is, Tyler Glasnow is a no-brainer.
Without Shohei Ohtani in this rotation, the Dodgers could still go with Skubal, Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and then Skubal for a second time and be just fine.
Glasnow has a stellar 0.95 WHIP in his 13 starts this year, and he allowed just four earned runs during his 21.1 innings last postseason.
If everything goes according to plan, Glasnow could wait and start his first game of the 2026 postseason in the NLCS, but sweeping the Braves is going to be far easier said than done.
