The Dodgers' postseason run officially hit a wall in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday night, and for ace pitcher Tarik Skubal, the exit hits different. The 29-year-old is now staring down free agency, and with his track record, he’s set to command a massive bag. But don’t expect any hot takes from him yet. "I'm not going to comment on my future really at all," Skubal said via MLB.com. "Today sucks, you know, and that's kind of where my head's at." Real talk: it’s giving major heartbreak. Skubal has been a playoff regular for three straight years, but a World Series ring is still elusive. He’s grinded through 2.13 ERA performances in eight playoff starts, yet his teams—first the Tigers, now the Dodgers—keep missing the final dance. ## The season in stats This year was a total rollercoaster. After winning back-to-back AL Cy Youngs in 2024 and 2025, Skubal had to deal with an elbow injury that required NanoScope surgery. He managed a lowkey legendary recovery, only missing about a month and a half of action. The Tigers sent him to the Dodgers at the deadline for a haul including top prospect Zyhir Hope, and he finished the year with a 12-7 record, a 2.72 ERA, and 186 strikeouts across 26 starts. ## Why it matters The market for a guy like Skubal is usually a no-brainer for a nine-figure contract, but the vibes are complicated this time. With the CBA set to expire and owners pushing for a salary cap, teams might be playing it safe until the financial landscape clears up. Someone could still try to get a deal done ASAP to get ahead of new rules, but for now, the league’s top arm is just heading home to process the L.