MLB NL Division Series Game 4 Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) vs. Atlanta Braves (1-2)

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First pitch 6:00 PM ET

Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: FS1 / FOX One

This is Game 4 of the best-of-five National League Division Series. The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers lead 2-1 after a 3-1 win in Game 3 behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto. A Dodgers victory clinches the series and a berth in the NLCS; the Braves must win to force a decisive Game 5 in Los Angeles. Tyler Glasnow (RHP) starts for Los Angeles opposite Tyler Mahle (RHP) for Atlanta.

Venue and Weather

Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia.

First pitch: 6:00 PM ET.

Weather forecast

Sunny to mostly clear conditions. Highs in the upper 70s to low 80s°F (around 79°F daytime, cooling into the upper 50s at night). Light winds (around 5 mph from the east/northeast, becoming calm), near-zero precipitation chance. Warm, dry evening weather should be favorable for hitters and play overall.

Current Records and Recent Form

Dodgers (NLDS 2-1; regular season 100-62, NL West champions): Seeking a three-peat. Strong pitching (Yamamoto’s dominant Game 3) and timely power (Kiké Hernández and Freddie Freeman homers in Game 3). Deep rotation and bullpen. Road success this postseason supports their edge.

Braves (NLDS 1-2; regular season ~94-68, NL East champions): Forced a split in Los Angeles with a 3-2 Game 2 win but dropped Game 3 at home. Relying on home crowd and need better offense against Dodgers starters. Have shown resilience after a Wild Card battle.

Injury Reports

Dodgers: Several pitchers on longer-term IL (Brusdar Graterol, Ben Casparius, Will Klein, Blake Treinen, Jake Cousins, Gavin Stone, Eric Lauer — mostly elbow/shoulder). Position players managing issues (Freddie Freeman right knee; Shohei Ohtani recovering from prior biceps/knee). Miguel Rojas exited Game 3 with an apparent injury after fouling a pitch (status for Game 4 to be monitored). Key arms like Glasnow, Yamamoto, and the bullpen remain available.

Braves: Notable absences include Spencer Strider (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow), Bryce Elder (knee), Martín Pérez (back), Reynaldo López (shoulder), Joe Jiménez (knee), and others on longer IL. Active roster features available starters and relievers for Game 4.

Current Rosters / Key Contributors

Dodgers (26-man highlights):
Position players: Shohei Ohtani (DH), Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Will Smith, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, Kiké Hernández, Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas (status TBD), and others.
Pitching: Tyler Glasnow (Game 4 starter; strong when healthy with high strikeout rates in limited 2026 action), Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tarik Skubal, and a deep bullpen (Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Evan Phillips, etc.).

Braves (26-man highlights):
Position players: Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy, Mauricio Dubón, and others.
Pitching: Tyler Mahle (Game 4 starter; midseason acquisition with solid innings), Chris Sale, Grant Holmes, and bullpen arms including Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee, and others.

Key Player vs. Player Matchups

Tyler Glasnow vs. Braves power (Acuña, Olson, Riley, Harris): Glasnow’s elite velocity and swing-and-miss stuff against Atlanta’s patient, high-OBP lineup. High strikeout potential in a short series.

Tyler Mahle vs. Dodgers stars (Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Hernández): Mahle’s command and repertoire tested by Los Angeles’ stacked order that has shown postseason power.

Freddie Freeman / Kiké Hernández vs. Braves pitching: Recent homers highlight Dodgers’ ability to break open games.

Ronald Acuña Jr. / Michael Harris II speed and contact vs. Dodgers defense/bullpen: Atlanta needs baserunners and timely hits to pressure LA.

Bullpen: Both sides have high-leverage arms (Díaz/Iglesias); late innings could decide a close contest.

Series History

Dodgers lead the 2026 NLDS 2-1 (Game 1: LAD 5-3; Game 2: ATL 3-2; Game 3: LAD 3-1). This continues a heated postseason rivalry (notably the 2021 NLCS won by Atlanta). Regular-season meetings were competitive. The Dodgers aim to close it out on the road; the Braves seek to extend the series at home.

Betting Trends

Dodgers have the series edge and strong starting pitching; Braves competitive at home. Public leans toward LA to close it out; value discussions around Braves + money or the under in a pitching-focused matchup.

GAME ODDS

Los Angeles Dodgers      – 145

Atlanta Braves                  7.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 6, 2026

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