Tarik Skubal was not at his best in his Dodgers home debut, lasting only five innings and needing 95 pitches to record the first 15 outs while battling spotty fastball command. He gave up a two‑run homer by Jac Caglianone and the Royals rallied, but the Dodgers edged a 6‑5 comeback win, with Skubal saying he’ll gladly take any victory.

The trade for Skubal sparked criticism that the Dodgers’ deep pockets are harming baseball, and manager Dave Roberts urged his squad to play with urgency as they entered a seven‑game homestand, ending with series against the Brewers.

Los Angeles rallied after a 110.8 mph line drive homer, then added runs on Shohei Ohtani’s double, Freddie Freeman’s single, and a three‑run double by Max Muncy, before Edwin Diaz closed the game.

The Dodgers now sit at 71‑48, a better record than the past two championship seasons, though they are 15‑18 since July and rank 21st in OPS and 23rd in ERA; Skubal, a two‑time Cy Young winner, wants to re‑sign with Detroit but remains focused on winning a World Series with Los Angeles.