Dodgers Take Early Series Lead With Sixth-Inning Surge
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. The victory moves Los Angeles closer to its goal of winning its third consecutive World Series title.
First pitch was scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. The Dodgers established control of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring four runs to break a scoreless tie and pull ahead for good.
Kyle Tucker hit a two-run home run and Max Muncy added a solo shot during the inning, extending the Dodgers' lead to 5-1. The offensive outburst came after six innings of tight pitching from both starting pitchers.
According to the Fox broadcast, the Dodgers have a 69-20 record when scoring first in a game.
Skubal Dominates Early While Braves Offense Struggles
Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal was the standout performer for Los Angeles, throwing six innings and holding the Braves to just one run and two hits. Skubal utilized 94 pitches before exiting the game after escaping a jam in the fifth inning.
Braves starter Dylan Dodd pitched three scoreless innings against the Dodgers' potent lineup. He left the game with the score tied at 3-3, having navigated through the early innings without allowing a run.
The Braves' offense was largely stifled by Skubal and the Dodgers' defense, managing only four total hits throughout the contest. Atlanta's scoring came primarily from long balls in the later innings.
Braves Bullpen Allows Late Runs
After Dodd exited, Braves relievers Victor Mederos and AJ Smith-Shawver took over but were unable to contain the Dodgers' offense. The two pitchers allowed a combined five runs on three home runs.
AJ Smith-Shawver was particularly hard-hit in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving up two home runs that proved decisive. One of those shots extended the Dodgers' lead to 5-1.
Despite the deficit, the Braves managed to score in the sixth and ninth innings. Sean Murphy hit a solo home run in the sixth, followed by a two-run home run from Ozzie Albies in the top of the ninth that narrowed the final margin to 5-3.
Braves Face Immediate Restitution Challenge
The series shifts to Game 2, scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. EST at Dodger Stadium. Atlanta enters the next contest with significant questions regarding their rotation, specifically concerning ace Chris Sale.
Sale threw 21 pitches in a relief appearance during the Wild Card clincher against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. It remains unclear whether he will be available to pitch in the upcoming game after helping the Braves defeat the Phillies in that three-game series to win the NL Wild Card Series.