The Los Angeles Dodgers added Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline, giving their rotation another established front-line starter for the final two months of the season. Los Angeles acquired the left-hander from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith.
The move also changed the market around the club. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook lists the Dodgers at +150 to win the World Series, placing Los Angeles among the leading championship contenders as the roster moves toward October. Those odds reflect both the club’s recent postseason success and a rotation with several pitchers returning from injury.
Skubal made his Dodgers debut on August 4th against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He allowed two runs over six innings, struck out six, and took the loss in a 5–1 defeat. The outing gave Los Angeles an early look at how Skubal can fit alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the rest of a staff that has dealt with changing health questions throughout 2026.
Skubal And Yamamoto Lead The Group
Skubal arrives with a track record that makes him a likely choice for a Game 1 or Game 2 assignment if he remains healthy. The 29-year-old won the American League Cy Young Award in each of the past two seasons. Before the trade, he posted a 2.81 ERA with 122 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings over 17 starts in 2026.
The Dodgers did not acquire Skubal to replace Yamamoto. They now have two pitchers capable of leading a postseason series. Yamamoto entered August with an 11–7 record, a 2.76 ERA and 121 strikeouts. He threw a complete game in an 8–2 win over the New York Yankees on July 19 and followed it with eight innings of four-hit ball against Boston on August 1st.
That combination gives manager Dave Roberts a high-upside top two. It also gives the Dodgers flexibility. In a five-game series, Skubal and Yamamoto could each start twice if the schedule permits. A longer series would require more choices, especially with several pitchers working their way back from the injured list.
Wrobleski Has Earned A Role
Justin Wrobleski has become a significant part of that discussion. The left-hander earned an All-Star selection after taking on a larger workload during the injuries to Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Wrobleski has an 11–3 record, a 3.31 ERA, and a 1.07 WHIP in 117 innings.
The Dodgers have monitored his workload. Wrobleski had already exceeded his previous professional high in innings by late July, which could influence how the club uses him in September. Despite a poor outing vs Chicago this week, his season performance has given Los Angeles a dependable starter during a demanding stretch of the schedule.
Roki Sasaki remains another option, though his season has been less consistent. The right-hander entered August with a 3–5 record, a 5.33 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 81 innings across 16 starts. Sasaki’s swing-and-miss stuff can play in a postseason role, but his recent results leave the Dodgers with a decision about whether he fits best as a starter or a multi-inning reliever.
Emmet Sheehan and Eric Lauer have also provided rotation depth during the season, but have struggled recently. Their roles could shift as injured starters return and Los Angeles manages innings down the stretch.
Health Will Determine The Final Order
Snell and Glasnow could change the rotation’s shape if their rehab assignments continue without setbacks. Snell underwent surgery in May to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. He made his fourth rehab start on August 4th, throwing 3 2/3 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers expect him to return to the major league rotation soon if he responds well.
Glasnow has been out since May with lower back spasms. He threw two scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance and is expected to make several more starts before returning. Before the injury, Glasnow posted a 2.72 ERA in seven major league starts.
Shohei Ohtani’s pitching availability remains uncertain. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 while managing knee and biceps issues, though he continues to contribute as the Dodgers’ designated hitter. The club has not set a return date for him on the mound.
The Dodgers do not need to settle an October rotation in early August. Skubal and Yamamoto give them a strong foundation. Wrobleski has earned consideration, while Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki, and Ohtani could expand the options if their health allows. The next several weeks will determine which version of this group reaches the postseason.
