Braves-Dodgers Series Shifts to Atlanta Tied at One Win Apiece
Atlanta and Los Angeles arrive at Game 3 of the National League Division Series tied at one win apiece after the Braves beat the Dodgers 3-2 at Dodger Stadium…
Home-field advantage has shifted, and the National League Division Series is now level. The braves vs dodgers series moves to Atlanta for Game 3 on Tuesday night, with the teams tied at one win apiece and each turning to its ace.
The Braves beat Los Angeles 3-2 at Dodger Stadium in Game 2, following a Dodgers win in the opener. Game 3 takes place at Truist Park and is scheduled to air on FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One, according to MLB.com.
The stakes are plain. In postseason history, the winner of Game 3 in a best-of-five series tied 1-1 has gone on to win the series 48 of 67 times, or 71.6%, MLB.com reported.
Atlanta’s Game 2 victory did more than even the series. It also gave the Braves home-field advantage as the matchup shifts to their park, while leaving both teams three wins from advancing to the National League Championship Series.
Yamamoto and Sale take the mound
Los Angeles will start right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series Most Valuable Player. He is making his 2026 postseason debut. MLB.com listed his 0.87 WHIP as the second-best mark among qualified major league starters.
Yamamoto has already faced Atlanta at Truist Park. On August 27, he allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings but lost a 1-0 game to Chris Sale.
Sale, a left-hander, gets the start for the Braves. MLB.com said he posted a 1.96 ERA over his final 24 regular-season starts and finished the year with a 2.16 ERA, the third-best mark in the majors. He opened the postseason by allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series.
There is a recent matchup to consider. Sale threw a five-hit shutout against the Dodgers on August 27, according to MLB.com. He will now face the same lineup with the series tied and a chance to put Atlanta in front.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said the team understands what is at stake. “We know what's at stake on Tuesday. We need to get that win.”
Ohtani moves to fifth in Dodgers lineup
Los Angeles has placed Shohei Ohtani in the fifth spot in its starting lineup, MLB.com reported. The outlet said Ohtani, who is recovering from right biceps and left knee injuries, had not batted fifth or lower in a starting lineup since September 23, 2020.
The Dodgers also made a change at third base: Kiké Hernández gets his first start of this postseason at the position, while Miguel Rojas moves to second. MLB.com reported the lineup change comes as Los Angeles adjusts to facing left-hander Sale.
Atlanta’s lineup features Drake Baldwin at leadoff, followed by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson. Baldwin hit a leadoff home run in the Braves’ previous meeting with Yamamoto, which accounted for the game’s only run, MLB.com said.
The result matters beyond the immediate score. With the series level, the winning team gains the lead and a substantial historical edge in a short series; the losing side faces elimination pressure in the next game. For supporters following the matchup, the pitching duel also sets up a direct rematch of Sale’s shutout against Yamamoto’s strong outing in Atlanta.
Game 3 is underway at Truist Park, with coverage on FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One.
Source: mlb.com
