Venue: Dodger Stadium (UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium), Los Angeles, California. Scheduled first pitch: 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT.
TV/Streaming: FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One.
This best-of-five NLDS opens the Dodgers’ bid for a third straight World Series title against a Braves club that advanced by winning a decisive Wild Card Game 3 over the Phillies (6-2 on Oct. 1). The Dodgers earned a first-round bye as NL West champions; the Braves (NL East winners) are coming off a three-game Wild Card set that taxed their pitching.
Current Weather Forecast
Sunny and extremely hot under clear skies. High temperatures near 98–102°F (game-time range expected in the mid-to-upper 90s), with low humidity (around 20–25%), light winds (roughly 5–10 mph, variable/SW), and 0% chance of precipitation. Extreme heat conditions are in effect for the Los Angeles area; hydration and shade will be factors for players and fans. No rain delays expected.
Injury Reports
Atlanta Braves
Spencer Strider (SP): 60-day IL (elbow).
Hurston Waldrep (SP): 60-day IL (right elbow UCL/Tommy John).
Spencer Schwellenbach (SP): Out for season (elbow).
Joey Wentz (P): 60-day IL (knee/ACL).
Joe Jiménez (RP): 60-day IL (knee).
Reynaldo López (P): 15-day IL (right shoulder inflammation).
Martín Pérez (SP): 15-day IL (lower back inflammation; eligible around Oct. 6/Game 3 at earliest).
Bryce Elder (SP): 15-day IL (knee).
Lane Thomas (OF): 10-day IL (left intercostal/side strain); possible return candidate for NLDS.
Chris Sale (ace) pitched in the Wild Card (including relief in Game 3) and is expected to be unavailable before Game 2 on normal rest. Rotation depth is significantly compromised.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Edgardo Henriquez (RP): 15-day IL (lower back); expected to be activated/ready for NLDS.
Blake Treinen (RP): Shoulder inflammation; out for the 2026 season.
Longer-term absences include Gavin Stone, Ben Casparius, Brusdar Graterol, Will Klein, Eric Lauer, and Jake Cousins (various shoulder/elbow issues).
Shohei Ohtani (recently activated after knee/biceps issues) and Freddie Freeman (patellar tendinitis/knee) have residual concerns but are expected to play after the bye; both used the rest to improve readiness. The rotation (Yamamoto, Skubal, Snell, Glasnow) is largely healthy and deep.
Current Player Rosters / Projected Key Contributors
Dodgers (projected core):
Position players – Shohei Ohtani (DH), Mookie Betts (SS/OF), Freddie Freeman (1B), Will Smith (C), Max Muncy (3B), Kyle Tucker (RF), Teoscar Hernández (LF/OF), Andy Pages (CF), Tommy Edman/Miguel Rojas/Kiké Hernández (utility).
Pitching – Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow (starters); strong bullpen options including Edwin Díaz and others (Henriquez expected back).
Braves (projected core):
Position players – Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF), Matt Olson (1B), Austin Riley (3B), Michael Harris II (CF), Ozzie Albies (2B), Drake Baldwin/Sean Murphy (C), Ha-Seong Kim (SS/IF).
Pitching – Chris Sale (later in series), Grant Holmes, Tyler Mahle (later), possible openers or depth arms such as Didier Fuentes/J.R. Ritchie for Game 1; Raisel Iglesias and available bullpen pieces. Exact Game 1 lineups and the Braves’ starter remain fluid due to fatigue and injuries; Dodgers are expected to go with Yamamoto to maximize availability for a potential Game 5.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Shohei Ohtani / Mookie Betts / Freddie Freeman vs. Braves pitching (likely short outing or opener + Holmes/depth): Dodgers’ top of the order faces a depleted Atlanta staff. Ohtani’s recent form was limited by injury but improved with rest; Freeman’s power has been down late due to the knee. Expect aggressive early approaches.
Ronald Acuña Jr. / Matt Olson / Austin Riley / Michael Harris II vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Yamamoto’s elite stuff (low opponent average among qualified starters) will test Atlanta’s power bats. Acuña’s speed/power and Harris II’s recent postseason impact (key in Wild Card) are critical; Olson provides the middle-of-order thump.
Special teams / bullpens: Dodgers’ deeper high-leverage arms give them an edge in late innings. Braves’ bullpen was worked hard in the Wild Card (Sale closed Game 3).
Defensive edges favor the Dodgers’ athleticism up the middle; Braves rely on solid infield play from Albies/Kim/Riley.
Heat will amplify the importance of efficient innings and bullpen management.
Recent Team Forms
Dodgers: Finished the regular season strong (100-62 overall, excellent home record ~51-30), then rested during the Wild Card round. They used the bye for recovery and workouts, with Ohtani and Freeman focusing on getting right. Strong late-season pitching and a potent (if occasionally streaky) lineup position them well.
Braves: Closed the regular season at 94-68, then went 2-1 in the Wild Card vs. Phillies (W 5-3, L 4-3 in 10, W 6-2). Offense showed up in the clincher (Harris II three-run HR early), but the pitching staff is fatigued after using multiple arms and Sale in relief. September was uneven (around .500), but they peaked when needed against a divisional rival.
Series History
2026 regular season: Braves dominated 5-1, outscoring the Dodgers 26-15. Atlanta swept a three-game set at Truist Park in late August (including a 1-0 Chris Sale complete-game shutout over Yamamoto) after taking two of three in Los Angeles in May.
Postseason history: This is another chapter in a frequent recent rivalry (meetings include 2018 NLDS, 2020 NLCS, 2021 NLCS). The 2021 NLCS stands out—the 88-win Braves upset a 106-win Dodgers team en route to a World Series title. The Dodgers have generally held the upper hand in recent regular-season and broader postseason success, but Atlanta has shown it can rise in October against L.A. Overall playoff meetings since 2013 favor competitive, high-stakes baseball.
Betting Trends
Braves covered well and went under in several 2026 H2H games (including the low-scoring August sweep). Dodgers were strong favorites at home all year and benefit from rest. Public money leans heavily toward the Dodgers on the moneyline. Totals have hovered near historical Dodger Stadium October norms, with heat potentially aiding offense slightly but elite pitching suppressing it. foxsports.com
GAME ODDS
Chicago Cubs 8
San Diego Padres – 212
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 2, 2026
