Braves steal home-field, face ace in pivotal Game 3

The Atlanta Braves captured a pivotal 3-2 victory in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, successfully splitting the first two games of the National League Division Series. This win not only evened the series but also allowed the Braves to reclaim home-field advantage from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The series now shifts to Truist Park for a critical Game 3 on Tuesday, October 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET. This matchup is particularly significant, as historical data shows that the team winning Game 3 of a tied best-of-five series goes on to win the series 71.6% of the time.

Both teams are set to start their respective aces in this crucial game. The Braves will rely on left-hander Chris Sale, who posted a 1.96 ERA over his final 24 regular-season starts and previously threw a shutout against the Dodgers. The Dodgers counter with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who finished the regular season with a 0.87 WHIP. Yamamoto previously faced Sale on August 27, where he was outdueled in a 1-0 loss.

Potential starting lineups indicate the Braves will feature Drake Baldwin in the leadoff spot, with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson batting behind him. The Dodgers are expected to stack right-handed hitters against Sale, possibly including Kiké Hernández at third base. Both bullpens are expected to be largely available after an off-day, though some pitchers who threw extensively in Game 2 may be limited.