The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers are meeting in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, with both teams entering the postseason matchup after different paths through October.
Atlanta reached the NLDS after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 6–2 in the decisive Game 3 of their Wild Card Series. Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson all homered in the victory, while the Braves’ pitching staff limited Philadelphia to two runs.
For Game 1, the Braves have made an unusual pitching decision, naming Dylan Dodd as their opening pitcher. Dodd did not make a regular-season start, but he finished 2026 with a 4–1 record, a 2.54 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 49.2 innings. Atlanta is expected to rely heavily on its bullpen after Dodd’s appearance.
The Dodgers will counter with Tarik Skubal, who joined Los Angeles during the season after a trade from Detroit. Since joining the Dodgers, Skubal posted a 5–2 record with a 2.61 ERA. He finished the season with a 12–7 record and a 2.72 ERA overall.
Another major storyline is Shohei Ohtani, who is expected to bat as the Dodgers’ designated hitter despite dealing with injuries late in the season. Ohtani will not pitch during the postseason after ending his pitching duties in July.
The game is also taking place in extraordinary heat, with temperatures around 100°F (38°C) at Dodger Stadium. Both teams have emphasized hydration and managing the conditions during the postseason opener.
With two star-studded lineups and contrasting pitching strategies, Braves–Dodgers has quickly become one of the major stories of the opening round of the MLB postseason.
