Tarik Skubal didn't quite give Dodgers the edge they paid for in Game 1 vs. Brewers

The stage was set, Tarik Skubal took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. The rest was supposed to be history, considering Skubal was meant to be the top-off for LA en route to a third consecutive World Series title. Perhaps the reminder after Sunday's outcome is that even the best laid plans don't quite go as intended.

When all things were equal, given what the the Dodgers gave up for Skubal, he was supposed to be the difference-maker. Between both offenses scuffling and faced with an equal counterpart in Jacob Misirowski, Skubal was in a position to put LA in control of Game 1. Especially when the Dodgers' offense seemingly had the presumptive National League Cy Young award winner on the ropes.

Instead, it was a fine outing by Skubal, but he left a little to be desired. Sure, he had seven strikeouts in five innings of work, but he also gave up five hits and walked two. Not to mention, he only lasted 81 pitches. It was a reminder of the stigma that surrounded Skubal last year with the Detroit Tigers; he's one of the best pitchers in the game, but when tasked with emptying the tank in a playoff game, he doesn't always follow through on that expectation.

Dodgers didn't get the Tarik Skubal advantage they were counting on against Brewers

It's become clear that the Dodgers were willing to go a step further in trade talks for Skubal at the deadline than any other team. The Brewers balked at the asking price of the Detroit Tigers, and reports over the weekend confirmed the Atlanta Braves also had second thoughts about what they would have had to give up in a potential deal.

Headlining a trade for a rental with Zyhir Hope certainly was a steep asking price, but LA was in a position to meet the demand. Even after the trade, their farm system remains one of the best in baseball, and the expectation was that Skubal could be the multiplier. For everything else that has gone wrong for the Dodgers this season, Skubal's arrival was meant to create a clearer path to the World Series.

After Game 1 of the NLCS, the path may not be that clear. There's still time for Skubal to look the part and be the reason for the Dodgers' success, but Sunday was a reality check.

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