How Tarik Skubal found who I know I am in Dodgers adjustment process

CINCINNATI –– Every day, Tarik Skubal learns something new about playing for the Dodgers.Monday’s lesson: Clinching a playoff spot warrants only subtle celebrations.“It’s different than anything I’ve experienced, for sure,” Skubal chuckled on Monday night, after the Dodgers recognized their 14th consecutive postseason berth with only a subdued postgame champagne toast and brief speech from manager Dave Roberts. “But,” the club’s new star pitcher added, “I think it just speaks to the people in this room and what they expect out of this team.That was cool.  A little toast and move on.

Forget it happened.We’ve got more to accomplish this season.”Consider it the latest step in Skubal’s acclimation process with the Dodgers –– another little moment that made him feel more at home with his new team.He’s now six weeks on from his emotional trade from the Detroit Tigers at the deadline.And he’s starting to find a comfort level that, after an uneven start to his Dodgers tenure, is helping him look more like the star pitcher he is accustomed to being.“Constantly learning each other and developing relationships –– a lot of that stuff you don’t realize, no one writes about that kind of relationship –– but I think it matters, it matters a lot.

I probably underestimated that a little bit,” said Skubal, who had spent the entirety of his career in Detroit before his marquee move to the Dodgers. “But just communicating, having an open dialogue with everyone, all these guys, on what I like to do, what I’m comfortable with and honestly what I’m uncomfortable with … I think we’re developing a real good relationship,” he added.And as a result, as manager Dave Roberts noted, “I think the last couple [outings he has made] have been his best.”That was certainly true on Monday, when Skubal spun a gem with the Dodgers’ postseason berth in the balance.He delivered his first scoreless start with the team by blanking the Re...