The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a 3-2 decision to the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, leaving the series tied and setting up a pivotal stretch as the Dodgers head to Atlanta.

Following the loss, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pointed to Atlanta’s willingness to maximize matchups throughout the game as one of the challenges his team will face for the remainder of the series.

The Braves used their pitching staff aggressively, extending David Fuentes for nearly four innings before turning to additional bullpen options. Roberts also acknowledged the difficulty of Atlanta’s lineup, particularly with players such as Michael Harris II continuing to swing the bat well.

With the series moving forward, Roberts expects Atlanta to continue looking for every possible advantage.

Blake Snell entered Game 2 without any concerns regarding his previously injured groin, according to Roberts. Instead, the Dodgers manager attributed the left-hander’s struggles to his delivery and command.

Snell had difficulty consistently locating his fastball and slider, while his changeup was also inconsistent. Roberts said Snell was pulling his pitches rather than executing the way he normally does.

There had been no indication before the game that Snell was dealing with an issue. Roberts said the left-hander had felt good following his previous appearances and did not show signs of being physically compromised.

The Dodgers ultimately had to turn to their bullpen earlier than they had hoped.

One of the brighter developments for Los Angeles was Edwin Díaz’s performance.

Díaz delivered a scoreless outing in a high-leverage situation, giving the Dodgers an encouraging sign as they continue to determine how best to deploy him during the postseason.

Roberts indicated that Díaz could eventually receive an opportunity to close games. His appearance in Game 2 marked an important step as the Dodgers continue to build his workload and evaluate him in increasingly important situations.

Los Angeles had opportunities throughout the game but could not deliver the timely hit necessary to change the outcome.

Roberts pointed to several situations in which the Dodgers put runners on base but failed to capitalize. Atlanta did not need a large number of hits to win, with Los Angeles unable to convert its opportunities into additional runs.

The Dodgers would go 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position leaving seven runners on base throughout the course of this game.

Shohei Ohtani also continued to have difficulty at the plate. Roberts noted that Ohtani was chasing pitches outside the strike zone, making it difficult to consistently produce quality contact.

With Chris Sale presenting another difficult challenge in the next game, Roberts emphasized the importance of getting Ohtani and the rest of the lineup back into the strike zone.

Max Muncy provided one of the Dodgers’ biggest moments with a home run, adding another postseason blast to his franchise record.

Roberts praised Muncy’s ability to deliver in important moments, particularly after entering the game off the bench. The home run in the ninth gave Los Angeles a late offensive boost, but the Dodgers could not generate enough additional offense to complete the comeback.

Los Angeles will need improved execution on both sides of the ball. Roberts believes Atlanta has made it clear that the Dodgers will have to capitalize on their opportunities as the series continues.