It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site in Start, LA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Start, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice.”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great!”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July,”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care”
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia and McKinsey for you attention to detail on multiple occasions!❤️”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and he had a stroke so he has limited mobility. They even go the extra mile and I'd like to mention Cynthia and Tracy for their outstanding service! It truly takes a hero to do what you guys do, as this is a very difficult job that requires amazing patience.”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to others”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in place. Thank you Always Best Care!”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice. I love them! A HUGE help for me!”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great! I would highly recommend this company.”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond for their clients”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can honestly say it's been an incredible experience. The support from the office staff is top-notch - they're always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with any issues that arise. The clients I've worked with have been wonderful, and I appreciate the care and attention the company puts into matching caregivers with clients who are a good fit. I highly recommend Always Best Care to any caregiver looking for a supportive, flexible, and rewarding work environment. Keep up the great work & thanks so much!”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with Always best for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it. My clients are so sweet The company is very family oriented They don't just care about the clients they also care about the workers. My daddy was in the hospital and ended up passing away the company allowed me to take off so I could be at the hospital with my daddy, and after he passed away they allowed me to be off rest of the week.”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes of elderly patients. Recently, I engaged their services to find a caregiver for my grandmother, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. Cyndi Williams from Always Best Care was instrumental throughout the process. Her dependability and understanding made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. From our initial consultation to the caregiver placement, Cyndi and the staff at Always best Care ensured that my grandmother's needs were prioritized, which greatly eased what could have been a challenging transition. Thanks to Always Best Care, my grandmother is not only well cared for but also genuinely happy with her caregiver. This has brought immense relief and peace of mind to our family, knowing that she is in capable hands. Overall, I highly recommend Always Best Care for their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to providing excellent elderly care services. They have truly made a positive difference in our lives during a time of significant adjustment. Claire Breslow”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They are very thorough, punctual, caring and helpful group. Shout out to Cynthia for going the extra mile to facilitate VA help for my step father. If your loved one is in need for in home care I highly recommend this company.”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home and gets busy doing whatever my mother needs her to do. She just takes it upon herself to do things that she sees that needs to be done. Angela has a great disposition. I can tell she loves what she does. Our family absolutely loves and appreciates Angela. Thank you to Always Best Care!!!!!”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it gets solved.”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These ladies quickly learned the routine that they like and take very good care of them. The office staff are so helpful and quick to find a replacement sitter if someone calls in sick. I highly recommended this agency for your loved ones”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Milford Wampold Memorial Park in Start, LA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar or visit Louisiana's Old State Capitol, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Start, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Start, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Start, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Community Resource Centers, which provide families with year-round access to classes, workshops, and other community resources.“Preparing for a new school year is about more than having the right supplies — it’s about ensuring children and families have the support they need to succeed,” said Charlie Robinson, chief health equity officer at L.A. Care Health Plan. “By bringing together school supplies, health services, and community services in neighborhoods across Los Angeles County, we’re helping r...
Community Resource Centers, which provide families with year-round access to classes, workshops, and other community resources.
“Preparing for a new school year is about more than having the right supplies — it’s about ensuring children and families have the support they need to succeed,” said Charlie Robinson, chief health equity officer at L.A. Care Health Plan. “By bringing together school supplies, health services, and community services in neighborhoods across Los Angeles County, we’re helping remove barriers and creating opportunities for children to thrive.”
In addition to backpacks and school supplies, select events offered well-child screenings, vaccinations, and personalized assistance with Medi-Cal eligibility, enrollment, and renewals — helping families maintain access to essential healthcare coverage. Families also connected with local health and community organizations, creating a one-stop opportunity to meet back-to-school needs while accessing services that support their well-being throughout the school year.
“For many families, back-to-school preparation involves much more than buying school supplies,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “These events help connect families to healthcare, Medi-Cal support, and community resources that can make a meaningful difference in their daily lives. Through our Community Resource Centers, we're committed to meeting families where they are and providing trusted support that helps them thrive year-round.”
This year’s distribution brings the total number of backpacks provided by L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise since 2019 to more than 100,000. The annual initiative reflects the health plans’ commitment to supporting the health, education, and well-being of families beyond healthcare. Through their Community Resource Centers, residents can access free health education, wellness classes, Medi-Cal enrollment assistance, and other services throughout the year.
About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal. It is led by healthcare professionals with a "members-first" philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for more than 500,000 Medi-Cal members across Los Angeles and San Diego counties. It was rated 4 out of 5 in NCQA's Medicaid Health Plan Ratings for 2025. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. For more news about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit promisenews.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn.
About L.A. Care Health Plan
L.A. Care Health Plan is the largest health plan in Los Angeles County serving more than one of every four Angelenos. It is also the largest publicly operated plan in the country. L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered™, L.A. Care Medicare Plus and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan, all dedicated to being accountable and responsive to members. As a public entity, L.A. Care’s mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's low-income communities, and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose. L.A. Care prioritizes quality, access and inclusion, elevating health care for all of L.A. County. For more information, follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
LOS ANGELES -- When manager Dave Roberts was asked earlier in the week how he’d stack his postseason rotation, he noted that the Dodgers couldn't really go wrong."To be honest,” he said, “we could really put all four guys in a hat and run them out there."The selection of the left-hander over Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives the Dodgers a tailored matchup edge against an Atlanta lineup that struggled against southpaws. While saving Yamamoto for later on removes the option to pitch him twice on regular rest in...
LOS ANGELES -- When manager Dave Roberts was asked earlier in the week how he’d stack his postseason rotation, he noted that the Dodgers couldn't really go wrong.
"To be honest,” he said, “we could really put all four guys in a hat and run them out there."
The selection of the left-hander over Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives the Dodgers a tailored matchup edge against an Atlanta lineup that struggled against southpaws. While saving Yamamoto for later on removes the option to pitch him twice on regular rest in a five-game series, Roberts pointed to the bigger picture of rotation rest and potential workload down the line.
"I think it was one of those things where, if you're looking at Tarik's ability to go on regular rest this series potentially, looking out -- I think that's probably kind of the start of it," Roberts said on Friday. "So for us, I've always said with the four guys it doesn't really matter who, but I think we feel good about Tarik taking the baseball."
Skubal noted that the news was delivered on Sept. 25 as he walked off the mound following seven scoreless innings in San Francisco.
For Roberts, delivering the news provided a lighthearted moment amidst October preparation.
"I loved delivering that message," Roberts said. "I don't always get to deliver good messages, and that was a good one, a fun one. And he was great, because obviously with this ballclub it's an easy kind of thought that Yoshi would be the Game 1 starter … but we have thoughts on why we do things, and all these guys are all in for whatever we decide."
While Skubal was initially caught off guard by the timing -- assuming he was pulled after 75 pitches simply to save his arm -- the assignment validated the rapid trust he has built within the organization since arriving at the Trade Deadline.
"It's an honor and a privilege to start Game 1 and have the trust in the coaching staff and my teammates and the organization to take the ball and go out there and do what I can do to put our team in a position to win," Skubal said. "I'm excited for it."
Rewarding that trust on Saturday doubles as a personal milestone: his first career home postseason start.
Despite making six playoff starts over the past two seasons with the Tigers, every single one came on the road. In four of those outings, he surrendered one run or fewer, compiling a 2.04 ERA and 56 strikeouts across 39 2/3 postseason innings.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to throw in front of the fans," Skubal said. "Usually when I walk out onto the field in a playoff game, it's received with a lot of boos. So I'm excited to get some cheers in there for us. And to pitch at home, I think it's going to be a ton of fun in front of this atmosphere."
His transition to Chavez Ravine over the past two months has been remarkably smooth. Across 10 regular-season starts in Dodger Blue, Skubal delivered a 2.61 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings. When asked what has clicked to get his results right where he wants them after changing teams midseason, Skubal credited growing familiarity with his new surroundings.
"Just sticking to my process, staying true to who I am, and obviously getting on the same page with catchers and everybody," Skubal said. "... That stuff just takes time, especially when you make a big transition in the middle of the season. It's been good to work through all that stuff, and I feel confident with where I'm at."
For Skubal, meeting those high expectations on October's stage isn't about reinventing himself; it's about trusting the foundation that brought him here.
"The game of baseball doesn't change," Skubal said. "It doesn't change in terms of how I'm going to approach it. Obviously, the stage is a little bit different and the environments are a little bit different, but how I go out and execute how I prepare and how I game plan is going to be the exact same. That's what I trust at any moment. As games get more meaningful and impactful, I just revert back to what got me in that position."
Beyond the postseason pressure, both teams will contend with an unseasonable Southern California heatwave for Saturday afternoon's 1 p.m. PT first pitch, with temperatures forecasted in the triple digits.
As for Skubal’s game plan for managing the sweltering conditions? Very simple.
The Los Angeles Rams sitting at 2-2 through four games likely isn’t what fans envisioned, given lofty expectations entering the 2026 campaign. Despite several injuries and inconsistent performances through the first quarter of the season, slow starts haven’t doomed recent Super Bowl champions, even if they’re uncommon.Since 2016, eight Super Bowl champs have started with three wins or better through the first four games. Only the 2019 Chiefs began their respective campaign with an unblemished 4-0 start, which propell...
The Los Angeles Rams sitting at 2-2 through four games likely isn’t what fans envisioned, given lofty expectations entering the 2026 campaign. Despite several injuries and inconsistent performances through the first quarter of the season, slow starts haven’t doomed recent Super Bowl champions, even if they’re uncommon.
Since 2016, eight Super Bowl champs have started with three wins or better through the first four games. Only the 2019 Chiefs began their respective campaign with an unblemished 4-0 start, which propelled them to their second Lombardi Trophy.
Generally, those teams have started hot, including the ‘21 Rams. However, there have been a couple of exceptions, as evidenced below:
The 2018 Patriots and 2024 Eagles were the lone champions in that grouping to start 2-2. Deep playoff runs had seemingly caught up to New England, as it was coming off its second straight Super Bowl appearance. Philadelphia was breaking in new coordinators Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio, so things weren’t smooth early on. However, the Eagles recovered nicely by winning 16 of their final 17, two at LA’s expense. Yeah, we’re not bitter over here about it or anything.
Even the best teams, or ones expected to be stellar, are prone to being blown out. The Rams found that out the hard way after losing by 20 to the 49ers in Australia to begin the season.
Half of the Super Bowl champions in the last decade suffered a double-digit loss within the first four games, with the ‘18 Patriots again standing alone as the only team to suffer multiple such losses in that span. LA’s last Super Bowl team is included in that group after rolling through the first three weeks of the Matthew Stafford era before running into trouble against Arizona. Remember, the 2019 Chiefs are excluded here since they had to be different and win their first four games. Get a load of those guys, am I right?
| Team | Year | Loss(es) |
| Patriots | 2016 | 16-0 to Bills (Week 4) |
| Eagles | 2017 | 27-20 to Chiefs (Week 2) |
| Patriots | 2018 | 31-20 to Jaguars (Week 2)26-10 to Lions (Week 3) |
| Buccaneers | 2020 | 34-23 to Saints (Week 1) |
| Rams | 2021 | 37-20 to Cardinals (Week 4) |
| Chiefs | 2022 | 20-17 to Colts (Week 3) |
| Chiefs | 2023 | 21-20 to Lions (Week 1) |
| Eagles | 2024 | 22-21 to Falcons (Week 2)33-16 to Buccaneers (Week 4) |
| Seahawks | 2025 | 17-13 to 49ers (Week 1) |
These teams lost by an average of 9.4 points, though the data is slightly skewed due to the multiple double-digit losses. The most interesting thing about the findings is that a third of the losses came in Week 1, showing that it’s not always about how you start, but how you finish. Plus, if last year’s Seahawks are any indication, the Rams now know that it’s possible to bounce back from a season-opening loss to the Whiners and be just fine.
Slow starts like the Rams have endured this season can be overcome, as the Patriots and Eagles proved over the last 10 years. Super Bowl champions since 2016 have mostly started hot and maintained that momentum for the rest of the season. LA has yet to play consistently enough to find any momentum, but the team has enough talent and a solid coaching staff to turn a corner sooner than anticipated.
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LOS ANGELES – For everything Tarik Skubal, the reigning back-to-back unanimous Cy Young winner, has accomplished, he has not had the experience he will have on Saturday afternoon. Through two postseason runs and six playoff starts as a Detroit Tiger, he never got a chance to pitch at home in October.Now, for a juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers club seeking a third consecutive World Series title, Skubal will finally get the ball at home.Skubal will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series for the Dodgers on Saturda...
LOS ANGELES – For everything Tarik Skubal, the reigning back-to-back unanimous Cy Young winner, has accomplished, he has not had the experience he will have on Saturday afternoon. Through two postseason runs and six playoff starts as a Detroit Tiger, he never got a chance to pitch at home in October.
Now, for a juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers club seeking a third consecutive World Series title, Skubal will finally get the ball at home.
Skubal will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series for the Dodgers on Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves, an honor for the man the Dodgers acquired at the trade deadline to push them over the top again.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to throw in front of the fans,” Skubal said. “Usually when I walk out onto the field in a playoff game, it’s usually received with a lot of boos. So I’m excited to get some cheers in there for us. And to pitch at home, I think it’s going to be a ton of fun in front of this atmosphere.”
For the Dodgers, the decision on who would start Game 1 had no wrong answer. Such is the luxury of having one of the greatest rotations in modern history. Skubal earned the nod over reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, fellow two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and All-Star right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
As it turns out, the decision was made pretty quickly. When Skubal was pulled after just 75 pitches in his final regular-season start in San Francisco, the left-hander sought out his manager to ask why. On the top step of the dugout, Dave Roberts told Skubal not to worry.
“Get ready for Game 1,” Skubal recalled Roberts telling him.
“That’s how I was told, and obviously excited and fired up and ready to go,” Skubal said.
The organization’s logic in going to Skubal was based around the matchup. The Braves, who roared to an NL East title and won a three-game set over the Philadelphia Phillies to advance to the NLDS, have been a less potent offense this season against left-handed pitching. With a lineup centered around left-handed hitters Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Michael Harris II, they ranked 24th in the majors with a 91 wRC+ against left-handed pitching.
That could play a role in whether the Dodgers go with Snell, the fellow left-handed two-time Cy Young winner, in Game 2. Yamamoto faced hitters at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday and could be in line to pitch on his usual rest in Game 3 of the series at Truist Park.
“To be honest, we can kind of really put all four guys in a hat and run them out there,” manager Dave Roberts said earlier this week.
The acquisition of Skubal from the Tigers at the deadline was a luxury that looked prudent after injuries wiped another starter off the board. Shohei Ohtani, who spent much of the regular season dealing with right biceps and left knee discomfort, has not pitched since early July. He will not be an option in October.
Skubal, who is in line for a megadeal this winter as the market’s top free agent, has been brilliant in 62 innings as a Dodger, posting a 2.61 ERA. He has assuaged whatever lingering concerns there might have been after he underwent surgery in May to remove a loose body from his left elbow.
I think (I’m) just getting more comfortable kind of in my own skin,” Skubal said of his recent success. “I think that matters, and that takes — that stuff just takes time, especially when you make a big transition in the middle of the season.
“It’s been good to work through all that stuff, and I feel confident with where I’m at.”
It was initially thought that Yamamoto would land the start Saturday, when the Dodgers will meet the Atlanta Braves, allowing the right-hander to pitch Game 1 and a winner-take-all Game 5 on his regular five days of rest. Skubal is the club’s most experienced arm at going on four days of rest, which could have lined him up for Game 2.
Instead, the Dodgers will choose the guy they went out of their way to go get at this year’s deadline.
“Our pitching staff is pretty special, in my opinion,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “We got four number ones rolling out there.”
Skubal will face the literal heat of October baseball at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch. According to the Weather Channel, it is expected to be 100 degrees at 1 p.m. on Saturday. That will require at least one change to his usual routine.
“Drink a lot of water,” Skubal said.
And if the No. 1 has to go … No. 1?
“You’re just not going to the bathroom because you’re probably sweating it out,” Skubal said. “That’s probably how it is. You’re going to drink a lot of water.”
Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal thought he could go the distance when he got through seven shutout innings in San Francisco last week on just 75 pitches.Then Dodgers manager Dave Roberts greeted him in the dugout with a handshake and the news: “Get ready for Game 1.”The Dodgers made it official Friday: Skubal, the two-time Cy Young Award winner acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p...
Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal thought he could go the distance when he got through seven shutout innings in San Francisco last week on just 75 pitches.
Then Dodgers manager Dave Roberts greeted him in the dugout with a handshake and the news: “Get ready for Game 1.”
The Dodgers made it official Friday: Skubal, the two-time Cy Young Award winner acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to start Game 1 and have the trust in the coaching staff and my teammates and the organization to take the ball and go out there and do what I can do to put our team in a position to win,” Skubal said. “I’m excited for it.”
Skubal is no stranger to postseason baseball. He made three starts in each of the Tigers’ postseason runs the last two years. All of them were on the road.
“When I walk out onto the field in a playoff game, it’s usually received with a lot of boos,” Skubal said. “So I’m excited to get some cheers in there for us. And to pitch at home, I think it’s going to be a ton of fun in front of this atmosphere.
“Hopefully everyone is drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated. It’s going to be a hot one.”
Weather reports forecast the temperature reaching 100 degrees Saturday.
Skubal, after leaving the only organization he’d known, has been every bit the top-of-the-rotation starter he was advertised to be. In 10 starts for the Dodgers, he posted a 2.61 ERA. And he finished the regular season with a gem against the Giants: seven three-hit innings on an efficient pitch count, cut short only by the Dodgers’ postseason plan.
“I loved delivering that message,” Roberts said. “I don’t always get to deliver good messages, and that was a good one, a fun one. And he was great because obviously with this ball club, it’s an easy kind of thought that [right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto] would be the Game 1 starter, absolutely. So Tarik was very respectful of Yoshinobu, but we have thoughts on why we do things, and all these guys are all-in for whatever we decide.”
The full scope of the Dodgers’ rotation plan was not immediately clear, but Blake Snell and Yamamoto are expected to pitch in Game 2 and 3, not necessarily in that order.
Yamamoto pitched to batters during the Dodgers’ workout Wednesday. If he takes his usual five days of rest, that would line him up to pitch Game 3 in Atlanta on Tuesday. That would also line him up for NLCS Game 2 and Game 6 — as long as the Dodgers advance.
“It’s a good process, appreciating that the most important thing is this series right now,” Roberts said. “But if you have talented arms at your disposal, it’s prudent to kind of map out potentially how they could line up, and that’s just doing your due diligence.
“But we are very fortunate because we have four guys essentially that you could really kind of pick through to figure out what’s the best way to deploy all four starters ... that’s the exercise, but it starts with having four talented guys.”
It’s a luxury other teams don’t have. The Braves certainly didn’t when they used ace Chris Sale in relief Thursday in Game 3 of their wild-card series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“What makes a team like that dangerous is they’ve already been in the fight,” Roberts said. “They’ve already got their intensity up, they can manage emotions, they’ve come out of the series with some momentum, coming out of winning a series.
“The advantage for us is we have an opportunity to not let their pitching staff come up for air, and how do you do that? You have to exhaust the starter tomorrow. You have to get in their pen, and you have to have them deploy arms as soon as possible and get that carousel going and continue to beat starters.”
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