Dodgers Face Braves in NLDS with Skubal Starting, Rotation Questions Looming

Key points

• Dodgers open the series with Tarik Skubal, who will make his postseason debut for Los Angeles, as reported by The Athletic.
• The Braves' rotation is compromised by the absence of Martin Perez and the short-rest requirements for Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle after the Wild Card round.
• Atlanta's offense struggled against left-handed pitching during the regular season, a potential advantage for the Dodgers' left-handed starters.
• The Dodgers' lineup faces uncertainty due to Shohei Ohtani's recent injury struggles and Freddie Freeman's sharp decline in September.
• The series schedule includes Games 1 and 2 in Los Angeles, followed by Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta, with a potential Game 5 back in Los Angeles.

Background

The Dodgers earned a first-round bye by finishing with the second-best record in baseball, while the Braves advanced by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card round. The two teams have a recent history, having last met in the 2021 NLCS, where the Braves won in six games. During the 2026 regular season, the Braves dominated the Dodgers, winning five of six matchups and outscoring them 26-15, including a series sweep in August that highlighted the Dodgers' bullpen vulnerabilities.

How outlets are covering it

Dodgers Digest emphasizes the Dodgers' rotation as their primary advantage, noting their second-best team ERA in baseball, despite limited starts from Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell. The outlet highlights the uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers' lineup, particularly Shohei Ohtani's recent struggles and Freddie Freeman's poor September performance. In contrast, the Los Angeles Times provides a statistical comparison, noting that while the Dodgers have a better rotation ERA, the Braves have a superior bullpen ERA and a higher inherited runners who scored percentage. True Blue LA focuses on the logistical aspects of the series, detailing the schedule and start times, while noting fan frustration over the daytime games in Los Angeles. The outlets agree on the Braves' pitching depth issues but differ in their assessment of the overall series balance, with the Times suggesting a close series while Digest leans toward a Dodgers victory due to pitching depth.

Why it matters

This series determines which team advances to the National League Championship Series, with the Dodgers seeking a historic three-peat and the Braves aiming to break their postseason drought since 2021. The outcome will also impact the future of key players like Tarik Skubal and Shohei Ohtani, whose performances in the postseason could influence their legacy and future contract negotiations. Additionally, the series highlights the importance of pitching depth and bullpen reliability in high-stakes playoff scenarios.

What to watch

The series begins Saturday, October 3, at Dodger Stadium, with Game 2 on Sunday. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Atlanta on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, with a potential Game 5 back in Los Angeles on Friday. The Dodgers will need to manage their rotation carefully, particularly with Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle on short rest for the Braves, while the Braves will rely on their bullpen to bridge gaps between starts. The outcome of the series will determine which team faces the winner of the Brewers-Padres series in the NLCS.