LOS ANGELES -- The Braves took care of business in Los Angeles, winning Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, 3-2.
By splitting the first two games of the National League Division Series, Atlanta essentially turned a five-game series into a three-game series -- and, oh, by the way, stole home-field advantage from the Dodgers in the process.
Next up, each team will turn to its respective staff ace in a pivotal Game 3 as the series shifts to Truist Park on Tuesday night.
“We know it's two good teams going at it,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “We know what's at stake on Tuesday. We need to get that win.”
Just how badly does each team need that win? Consider this: In postseason history, the Game 3 winner in a best-of-five series tied 1-1 has gone on to win the series 48 of 67 times (71.6%).
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the crucial Game 3:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch for Game 3 is set for 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Tuesday at Truist Park. It will be broadcast on FS1/FOX Deportes/FOX One.
All series are available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games are also available live internationally, although not in Canada. Sportsnet is MLB's exclusive English-language broadcaster in Canada for every Postseason game, while TVA Sports will be covering the entire AL Postseason and the World Series in French and Broadcaster RDS will cover the entire NL Postseason in French.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Braves: LHP Chris Sale Key stat: 1.96 ERA over his final 24 regular-season starts
Sale will face the Dodgers for the first time since throwing a five-hit shutout against them on Aug. 27. The 37-year-old posted MLB’s third-best ERA (2.16) this year. He began the postseason by limiting the Phillies to three runs over 6 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. There was some thought about having him start Game 2, but because he recorded the final four outs of Game 3 of the WC Series, the Braves pushed him back.
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto Key stat: 0.87 WHIP, ranked second among qualified MLB starters
The reigning World Series MVP is set for his 2026 postseason debut with his team looking to reclaim its series lead. Yamamoto could have started Game 1, but the Dodgers liked the way they were lined up for the NLDS and beyond with Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell starting the first two contests. L.A.'s ace is up third as the series shifts to Atlanta, where he gave up one run across 6 1/3 strong innings on Aug. 27; he was outdueled by Sale in a 1-0 loss.
What might the starting lineups look like?
Braves: Drake Baldwin’s leadoff homer accounted for the game’s only run the last time the Braves faced Yamamoto. Baldwin, Matt Olson and Michael Harris II should all enjoy seeing a right-handed starter. The Braves have faced a lefty starter in four of their first five postseason games. Aaron Nola, the only right-hander they’ve seen, lasted just 1 2/3 innings in Game 3 of the NLWC Series.
1. Drake Baldwin, DH
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
3. Matt Olson, 1B
4. Michael Harris II, CF
5. Ozzie Albies, 2B
6. Mauricio Dubón, SS
7. Mike Yastrzemski, LF
8. Austin Riley, 3B
9. Sean Murphy, C
Dodgers: With Sale on the mound, the Dodgers will not only stack right-handed hitters higher in their lineup, but they also might shake up their typical starting nine. They already started Miguel Rojas at third base over Max Muncy when facing a lefty opener in Game 2, so perhaps Kiké Hernández will get his first start this postseason at the hot corner, shifting Rojas to second.
1. Mookie Betts, SS
2. Shohei Ohtani, DH
3. Will Smith, C
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B
5. Teoscar Hernández, LF
6. Kyle Tucker, RF
7. Andy Pages, CF
8. Miguel Rojas, 2B
9. Kiké Hernández, 3B
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Braves: Coming off an off-day, the Braves will have closer Raisel Iglesias and two top setup men, Robert Suarez and Dylan Lee, available. Didier Fuentes and Ray Kerr won’t be available after both threw 40-plus pitches on Sunday.
Dodgers: The bullpen had to cover the final 5 1/3 innings of Game 2 after a shaky start from Snell, but after a series off-day, the Dodgers should have almost everyone available for Game 3. The exception may be Roki Sasaki, who threw two innings on 36 pitches on Sunday.
Any injuries of note?
Braves: RHP Bryce Elder (right knee surgery) and LHP Martín Pérez (lower back discomfort) are not available during this series. Both could be available if the Braves advance to the NLCS.
Dodgers: Ohtani (right biceps, left knee) and Freeman (right knee) are managing lingering injuries. World Series hero Will Klein (right elbow discomfort) has faced hitters, but he has not pitched in a game since July 31 and is viewed as more of a depth option. Blake Treinen (right shoulder inflammation) is unlikely to pitch this postseason.
Who is hot and who is not?
Braves: Harris has two three-hit efforts in five games this postseason and is 8-for-20 (.400) overall. The Braves hope to get Acuña (3-for-18 without an extra-base hit) and Olson (3-for-19 with seven strikeouts) going as the series goes on.
Dodgers: After a tough September, Freeman (3-for-7, home run) swung the bat well in the first two games. Pages (0-for-7) and Tommy Edman (0-for-5) are seeking their first hits this postseason.
Anything else fans might want to know?
- This will be the first time Sale has faced the Dodgers in the postseason since coming out of the Red Sox bullpen to pitch a perfect ninth inning to conclude the 2018 World Series.
- Roberts enters Game 3 one win shy of 71 managerial postseason wins, which would tie Tony La Russa for second-most all-time. Joe Torre holds the record with 84.