The stakes are high as the Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series between two of the National League's first place teams.
After a grueling seven-game, four city, road trip that saw the Atlanta Braves go 2-5, the schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Braves return home to host the reigning two-time World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a crucial three-game series with likely postseason implications.
The Braves (76-55) maintain a slim 3.5 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East entering Tuesday’s series opener at Truist Park. By the end of the series the Braves will have played seven straight games against first-place teams. Atlanta salvaged the third game of its series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The Braves got a 4-2 win at the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa.
The Dodgers (80-51) come in with a more comfortable 9.5 game lead over the San Diego Padres for first place in the NL West. Los Angeles has also won a season-best six straight games, after sweeping the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
With just 31 games to go in the regular season, the race for the top two playoff seeds in the National League is tight with the Brewers holding a one game lead over the Dodgers for the top spot. The Braves remain in the hunt, trailing Los Angeles by four games for the No. 2 seed.
The significance of avoiding a first round Wild Card Series, possibly against the Phillies, and having home field advantage in the Division Series feels massive for any of the three division leaders. With the Braves not scheduled to face the Dodgers or the Brewers again, this series could be the last chance for Atlanta to put a dent in the deficit.
Head-to-head
Atlanta won two of three in L.A. back in early May. However, the Braves look different entering this showdown. Atlanta has lost 10 of its last 16 games, hitting .218 and averaging just 2.8 runs per game in that span. However, Braves pitching managed to hold the mighty Dodgers in check the first go-round with L.A. scoring just seven runs in the series.
The Dodgers are 11-5 against the Braves going back to 2024. With two victories, Atlanta has a chance to win the season series against L.A. for the first time since 2023 or, best case scenario, with a sweep the Braves could find themselves just one game back of the Dodgers for the No. 2 seed in the NL.
Starting Pitching Matchups
Game 1, Tuesday at 7:15 ET LAD Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.72 ERA) vs. ATL Bryce Elder (8-7, 3.92 ERA)
The Dodgers get a massive boost with Tyler Glasnow returning from the injured list where he’s been since May 8 with a series of back spasms. The former All-Star right-hander has made just seven starts this year but has pitched well when he’s been healthy.
Bryce Elder held the Dodgers scoreless on May 10, limiting L.A.’s lineup to just one hit with eight strikeouts. Since July 20, Elder’s made six starts, holding opponents to two runs or less in five of those outings.
Game 2, Wednesday at 7:15 ET LAD Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.42 ERA) vs. ATL A.J. Smith-Shawver (0-0, 6.23 ERA)
It’ll be the biggest test for A.J. Smith-Shawver, making just his third Major League start since coming back from Tommy John surgery last year. In his last outing, the right-hander allowed four earned runs in 4.1 innings in a loss to the Minnesota Twins on August 19. Smith-Shawver threw 75 pitches. His fastball touched 97.6 mph with a splitter that generated 10 swings and misses, per Statcast, showing reason to think he’s on the right path.
Roki Sasaki has been lights-out for L.A. in the second half. In his last six starts, the right-hander has a 2.31 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 35 innings. It’ll be Atlanta’s first look at him this year.
Game 3, Thursday at 7:15 ET LAD Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-7, 2.61 ERA) vs. ATL Chris Sale (12-9, 2.20 ERA)
It feels like the best was saved for last on the mound in this series. Sale, who could make a case to sue his club for support, is hoping for some early runs when he takes the ball. Atlanta has scored two runs or less for its ace 10 times this year, including just one run over the left-hander’s last two outings combined.
The Dodgers have won Yamamoto’s last three starts, including a pair of one-run, extra-inning victories. The right-hander has a 1.50 ERA in those outings with 24 strikeouts to just six walks in 18 innings pitched. Like Glasnow and Sasaki, Yamamoto has not faced the Braves this year.
Key Hitters
Michael Harris II is the Braves’ hottest hitter right now. Harris homered Sunday to extend his eight-game hitting streak. In that span he’s hitting .364 with a .970 OPS. Now, Harris needs a few others to join him. Harris has noted the Braves’ recent schedule has made it tougher to produce for everyone.
Mike Yastrzemski and Matt Olson could be two guys to watch. Yastrzemski has been on a nice run with a .883 OPS since July 4. Olson is in a 3-24 funk but could be ready to break out with an off day and a return home.
The Dodgers just lost centerfielder Andy Pages, who was hitting .304 in his last 15 games, to the injured list with a broken hand. Still, this is a deep lineup with Shohei Ohtani’s 30 home runs, Freddie Freeman’s .302/.374/.463 slash line and Max Muncy’s 26 home runs, including three in his last seven games. The Braves will still have their hands full.
Scoring first feels like a must for Atlanta. The Dodgers are 54-16 when scoring the first run. Putting early pressure on a Braves lineup that’s already struggling to score is less than ideal.
Bullpens Despite the recent turbulence of Raisel Iglesias, the Braves’ closer managed to notch a four out save on Sunday. Iglesias has now gone back-to-back outings without allowing a run. Tanner Scott has taken the closing duties for the Dodgers and run with it. With Edwin Diaz on the injured list and struggling all year on top of it, Scott has saved 19 games for L.A. and is five saves away from a new career high.
Game one of the series gets underway in Atlanta Tuesday night at 7:15 ET.
