Dodgers vs. Braves: The Los Angeles Dodgers try to push the Atlanta Braves to the brink of elimination when NLDS Game 3 gets underway Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Truist Park. The Dodgers carry a 2-0 series lead into Atlanta. The biggest question entering the night is whether Chris Sale can keep the Braves’ season alive against a Los Angeles lineup that has dominated the first two games. Atlanta has not won since eliminating Philadelphia in the Wild Card Series on Oct. 1.
Dodgers vs. Braves: NLDS Game 3 Game Information
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
- Series: NLDS, Dodgers lead 2-0
The Dodgers have won the first two games of the best-of-five series, both played at Dodger Stadium, and now need just one more win to close it out. Atlanta has not trailed 0-2 in a postseason series this deep into October in recent memory, making Game 3 a true must-win for the Braves’ season to continue.
Who Starts Game 3 For The Braves?
Chris Sale is projected to start Game 3 for Atlanta after the Braves pushed him back from his original turn, according to ESPN. Atlanta instead started Ray Kerr in Game 2, a bullpen game that marked Kerr’s fifth career start. The Braves made that move because Sale had already worked in relief during Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on just one day of rest, and the club opted to give him the extra time off rather than throw him on regular rest Sunday.
That decision leaves Atlanta’s rotation plan for the rest of the series in flux, but it sets up Sale, their most experienced starter, for the game the Braves need most.
How Did The Braves Get To A 0-2 Hole?
Atlanta needed a second straight bullpen game to get through the Dodgers’ lineup in Game 2, a sign the staff is still searching for length. Ray Kerr threw 3⅓ scoreless innings in Game 2 as the Braves staged a bullpen game. The Braves’ pitching staff carried heavy usage through the Wild Card Series, where they defeated the Phillies in a decisive Game 3, so fatigue across the rotation is a real factor entering Tuesday.
Atlanta’s lineup has had stretches where it has gone quiet. The Braves need to break out of that trend against a Dodgers offense that has controlled both games at Dodger Stadium.
What Does The Dodgers’ Starting Plan Look Like?
Los Angeles starter Tarik Skubal delivered a strong Game 1 performance that staked the Dodgers to their 1-0 series lead, according to ESPN. The Dodgers have not needed to use their full rotation depth yet, which gives them flexibility for Game 3 and beyond as the defending back-to-back World Series champions look to close out the series on the road.
Key Matchup: Sale’s Experience Against A Deep Dodgers Order
The matchup that decides Game 3 is Sale against a Los Angeles lineup that has controlled both games so far. Sale gives Atlanta a starter who can pitch in high-leverage moments, but he will be working to keep the Braves’ season alive after a relief appearance against Philadelphia in the Wild Card round. How deep he can go will determine whether Atlanta needs to lean on a bullpen that has already covered heavy innings. The Dodgers’ lineup, led by back-to-back World Series championship experience, has not needed explosive offensive performances to win, instead grinding out victories with solid pitching.
What To Watch
A Dodgers win Tuesday would complete a sweep and send Los Angeles to the NLCS. A Braves win would force Game 4 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, also at Truist Park, and keep Atlanta’s season alive. According to Yahoo Sports, NLDS Game 4 is scheduled for 6 p.m.
ET. If the series goes to five games, Game 5 would return to Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 9. The bullpen health for both teams will be critical regardless of how far the series extends, given the heavy usage in the Wild Card round.
What’s Next
If the Braves win, Game 4 is Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Truist Park at 6 p.m. ET. A Dodgers win ends the series and sends Atlanta home. The winner advances to the NLCS to face either the Brewers or Padres.
Reporting from CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, ESPN and Inquirer contributed to this story.
