The Dodgers are charging toward the stretch run with all the confidence of a team built for October, and Tarik Skubal is already part of that picture.
Los Angeles entered Wednesday night at 88-57 and riding a six-game winning streak, with a matchup against the Cincinnati Reds on deck. The Dodgers are also sitting just 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League, and their trade-deadline move for the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner has paid off fast.
Since coming over from the Detroit Tigers, Skubal has made seven starts for Los Angeles. In those outings, he has posted a 2.93 ERA with 48 strikeouts across 43 innings.
But the most revealing part of Skubal’s transition to the Dodgers had nothing to do with his numbers. Max Muncy, appearing on Foul Territory, shared a story that says plenty about how different life can feel from one organization to another. According to Muncy, Skubal confirmed that the Tigers’ old team plane could not fly across the country without stopping to refuel.
Tarik Skubal confirmed to Max Muncy that the Tigers' old team plane couldn't make it across the country without having to stop and refuel. pic.twitter.com/reRApSey1q
- Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 9, 2026
Detroit has since upgraded to a new plane that can handle cross-country trips, but the detail still fits a season that has gone sideways for the Tigers. They entered Wednesday at 66-79 and out of the American League playoff race.
The contrast between the two clubs goes well beyond the runway. The Dodgers are the only team in baseball this season using two separate planes on road trips, one for players and one for staff. Their thinking is simple: more room, more comfort, more rest and recovery for the players who matter most.
Skubal’s move from Detroit to Los Angeles has put that gap in sharp focus. The baseball may be the same, but the experience around it looks very different.
In Other News...
Rays Fans May Already Be Questioning This Trade Return
The Dodgers decision to move Jack Suwinski to Tampa Bay and bring back catcher Hunter Feduccia along with minor league right-hander Jacob Kmatz was always going to invite quick judgment from both fan bases. Feduccia has settled in as a backup catcher for Los Angeles, giving the club steady depth behind the plate, while Kmatz has already started to look like the kind of arm that can matter sooner rather than later if his Double-A progress keeps trending up.
For Rays fans, the early return is the sort that can stir second thoughts because Kmatz has not just been throwing well, he has also drawn attention for a promising pitch mix and a place among the more interesting arms in the Dodgers minor league system. The trade was framed as part of a broader exchange, but the longer Tampa Bay watches Kmatz develop, the more this one could become a test of patience on their side. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Freeland Is Running Out Of Time To Win Over Dodgers
Alex Freelands September with the Dodgers has turned into something bigger than a late-season audition. The young infielder has been back from the minors and into a roster spot that gives Los Angeles a closer look at what he can offer, especially at second base, where the club is still sorting out its long-term picture. After getting into 79 games this season, he has a real chance to show he belongs in the conversation as more than just depth.
The timing matters because the Dodgers are not simply looking for a useful September bat or glove, they are trying to learn whether Freeland can factor into their plans beyond 2026. His results this month could carry real weight in how the organization views his future role, and for a player trying to secure a longer runway in a crowded organization, every at-bat and every inning now feels like part of a much larger test. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Call-Up Buzz Just Took A Turn Fans May Not Expect
The Dodgers latest roster move says a lot about how they want to manage the grind behind the plate. With Dalton Rushing landing on the injured list, the club brought up catcher Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. from Oklahoma City, where numbers can be hard to read in the Pacific Coast Leagues hitter-friendly environment. Brandon Gomes pointed to roster flexibility and workload management for Will Smith as the bigger reasons for the decision, rather than using the opening to elevate outfielder James Tibbs III.
For Los Angeles, it is less about a splashy call-up and more about keeping options open around one of its most important everyday players. The club has made clear it values having multiple catchers available for strategic use, and Alfonzo fits that approach even if his minor league production has not yet carried over at the big league level. In a season where every day off matters, the Dodgers are choosing depth and protection over a more obvious offensive move. [Read more 🡒]