Dodgers Shock Baseball World with Game-Changing Trade—Everything Fans Need to Know

The Los Angeles Dodgers open their quest for a third straight World Series title on Saturday, Oct. 3, hosting the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. PT on FOX/FS1, with Game 2 following Sunday at 5 p.m. PT before the series shifts to Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday. Postseason schedule at a glance • NLDS Game 1: Sat., Oct. 3 — Braves at Dodgers, 1 p.m. PT • NLDS Game 2: Sun., Oct. 4 — Braves at Dodgers, 5 p.m. PT • NLDS Game 3: Tue., Oct. 6 — Dodgers at Braves, 3 p.m. PT • *Game 4 (if necessary): Wed., Oct. 7 — Dodgers at Braves, 3 p.m. PT* • *Game 5 (if necessary): Fri., Oct. 9 — Braves at Dodgers, 5 p.m. PT* Should the Dodgers advance, the National League Championship Series would begin Sunday, Oct. 11. Thanks to a 100-62 regular-season record, Los Angeles owns home-field advantage in every remaining round except a potential NLCS against Milwaukee. Pitching plans and roster moves Manager Dave Roberts tabbed left-hander Tarik Skubal, the mid-season acquisition who posted a 2.31 ERA down the stretch, to start Game 1. Walker Buehler is lined up for Game 2, giving the club two power arms to counter Atlanta’s potent lineup. Josue De Paula and rookie infielder Hyeseong Kim both earned roster spots, while veteran Chris Taylor was left off due to a lingering oblique strain. Ohtani trending upward Shohei Ohtani, who slugged 44 homers despite a late-season knee flare-up, said his swing “is in a better place” after a week of focused cage work. The two-way superstar will be limited to designated-hitter duties for the postseason, but club officials insist he’ll be available for every game. Key storylines to watch 1. Power vs. power: Atlanta belted an NL-best 249 home runs; the Dodgers finished second with 238. Limiting damage with men on base will be critical for both bullpens. 2. Lefty advantage: The Braves’ lineup skews right-handed, making Skubal’s Game 1 start a potential tone-setter. Roberts hinted that lefty Caleb Ferguson could be deployed in high-leverage spots late. 3. Experience edge: This is Los Angeles’ 14th consecutive playoff appearance, tying the 1991-2005 Braves for the MLB record. Atlanta ended the Dodgers’ run in the 2021 NLCS but hasn’t reached the Fall Classic since. How to get postseason tickets Limited single-game seats remain for NLDS home dates and can be purchased through the Dodgers’ official postseason ticket portal. Fans are encouraged to arrive early; stadium gates open two hours before first pitch, and parking lots open three. Why this series matters Beyond another championship chase, a strong October would cement the Dodgers’ status as the era’s premier franchise and strengthen bids for offseason extensions for Buehler and Will Smith. Conversely, an early exit could trigger roster shake-ups, with Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy and Joe Kelly all set to hit free agency. Search-friendly takeaways • Los Angeles Dodgers playoff schedule 2026 • Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS dates, times, TV channel • Shohei Ohtani injury update ahead of postseason • Dodgers NLDS roster moves: De Paula, Kim in; Taylor out • How to buy Dodgers postseason tickets With star power, pitching depth and home-field edge, the Dodgers enter October positioned to prolong their dynastic run. First, they must solve the Braves — a familiar October foe ready to spoil the party once again.