Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBS / Braves Vision / SportsNet LA)
Starting Pitchers
Dodgers: RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.72 ERA, ~0.83 WHIP, 39.2 IP, 49 K, 13 BB, 5 HR). Making his long-awaited return from the 60-day IL (lower back spasms since early May). Strong limited sample this year with elite strikeout rate; completed a successful rehab (low runs allowed in recent outings). First MLB start since May 6.
Braves: RHP Bryce Elder (8-7, 3.92 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 137.2 IP, 113 K, 46 BB, 22 HR). Workhorse with solid but not dominant numbers. Faced Dodgers effectively in May (5.2 scoreless IP). Recent form mixed but capable of limiting damage.
Glasnow’s stuff and recent health trajectory give the Dodgers the starter edge, though workload limits are possible on his return.
Venue & Weather Forecast
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA.
Forecast for game time/evening: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, hot temperatures around 87–93°F (high near 91–93°F), very low precipitation chance (near 0– few percent), light winds (N/NE or variable, ~3–7 mph). Warm, dry conditions expected with potential for a hitter-friendly environment if the ball carries.
Current Rosters / Projected Lineups
Dodgers (key active hitters): Shohei Ohtani (DH, .288 AVG, 30 HR – elite production while limited as a pitcher), Freddie Freeman (1B, .302 AVG), Mookie Betts (SS), Max Muncy (3B, power bat), Tommy Edman (2B), Kyle Tucker (RF), Teoscar Hernández (LF), Andy Pages (OF – recent IL but status monitored), catcher options (e.g., Feduccia or others with Will Smith on longer IL). High-powered offense with elite OBP/SLG.
Braves (key active hitters): Drake Baldwin (C), Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF), Matt Olson (1B, 36 HR leader), Michael Harris II (CF, .294 AVG, strong recent H2H), Ozzie Albies (2B), Mauricio Dubón (SS), Dominick Smith (DH), Austin Riley (3B), Mike Yastrzemski (LF). Balanced power and contact; Harris has historically performed well vs. Dodgers.
Both lineups feature star power; Dodgers edge in overall production metrics.
Injury Reports
Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow activated for this start (returning from 60-day IL); Andy Pages (OF, 10-day IL, hand); Dalton Rushing (C, 10-day IL, arm); Will Smith (C, 60-day IL, neck – rehabbing); Blake Treinen / Ben Casparius / Bobby Miller (longer IL terms); Edwin Díaz and others in bullpen recovering; Shohei Ohtani continues as DH only (knee/batting progress, pitching return eyed later).
Braves: Spencer Strider (SP, 60-day IL, elbow); Spencer Schwellenbach (SP, 60-day IL); Reynaldo López (RP, 15-day IL); Robert Suarez (RP, 15-day IL); Joe Jiménez / Joey Wentz (longer IL). Rotation and bullpen depth impacted, but core lineup mostly intact.
Glasnow’s return is a major boost for LA; Atlanta missing key arms.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Shohei Ohtani / Freddie Freeman / Max Muncy vs. Bryce Elder: Dodgers’ lefty-heavy power core against Elder’s right-handed repertoire. Ohtani’s elite production is the biggest X-factor.
Mookie Betts / Kyle Tucker contact and gap power vs. Elder.
Matt Olson / Michael Harris II / Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. Tyler Glasnow: Braves’ power and speed vs. Glasnow’s high-velocity, high-K stuff. Harris has strong recent history vs. LAD.
Austin Riley / Ozzie Albies vs. Glasnow.
Bullpens: Both clubs have quality late options, though injuries thin the ranks. Truist Park can reward power.
Dodgers’ offensive depth and Glasnow’s dominance potential favor LA in key spots.
Recent Team Forms
Dodgers: 7-3 last 10; W6 streak. Recent: W 4-0 vs. PIT, W 4-3 vs. PIT, W 5-4 (10) vs. PIT, W 6-4 (10) @ COL, W 7-6 @ COL. Surging and sitting near the top of the NL (1st in NL West). Away: 40-25.
Braves: 3-7 last 10; W1. Recent: W 4-2 vs. MIL, L 4-1 @ MIL, L 2-1 @ MIL, W 2-0 @ CHW, L 6-4 @ MIN. Struggling offensively in August; still lead NL East but lead has narrowed. Home: 42-23.
Series History
2026 season series: Braves lead 2-1 (May in Los Angeles: LAD 3-1, ATL 7-2, ATL 7-2).
This is Game 1 of a three-game set at Truist Park (Aug 25–27). Historical rivalry remains competitive; recent meetings have seen high scoring at times.
Betting Trends
Dodgers strong as favorites and on recent form; Braves better at home but cold lately. Glasnow’s return and LA’s streak make them the public side. Unders have hit in some recent H2H; power bats keep the total near 8.5–9. Public heavy on Dodgers.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers – 148
Atlanta Braves 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, August 24, 2026
