The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series on Saturday, October 3, with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 PM ET at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Los Angeles in what is a high-stakes postseason matchup broadcast nationally on FOX and FOX ONE. With the full Dodgers lineup locked in and Chavez Ravine sure to be rocking, this is exactly the kind of October moment this franchise has been building toward all season.

Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS Pitching Matchup

Tarik Skubal draws the start for the Dodgers. Atlanta's starter has not been confirmed in the available information, so the pitching puzzle on that side remains to be solved closer to game time. Keep an eye on the Braves' announcement — their choice of arm will shape how the Dodgers lineup attacks the zone.

For now, the focus is squarely on Skubal. Getting a quality start from him — six-plus innings, limiting traffic on the bases — would be a significant advantage for Los Angeles, keeping a potent Dodgers bullpen fresh for the later innings of what figures to be a tightly contested game.

Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Lineup

• 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. Max Muncy — 3B
• 9. Tommy Edman — 2B

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers

Ohtani and Freeman in the Middle of the Order

Shohei Ohtani hitting second and Freddie Freeman batting cleanup gives the Dodgers back-to-back nightmares for any pitcher working through the lineup. How Atlanta's staff navigates that stretch — particularly whether they challenge Ohtani or pitch around him to get to Freeman — will be one of the central tactical threads of the afternoon.

Kyle Tucker's Role in a Deep Lineup

Tucker slotting in at sixth in the order is a reminder of just how much depth Los Angeles carries into this series. Opposing pitchers cannot breathe easy after getting through the top of the order. Tucker in the six-hole, flanked by Pages and Muncy, means there is no soft landing spot in this Dodgers lineup.

Skubal's Command and Efficiency

In a postseason start, pitch efficiency matters as much as raw stuff. If Skubal can work quickly and avoid deep counts, the Dodgers can keep their high-leverage relievers available for the back end of the game. Conversely, if Atlanta works him into long at-bats and pushes the pitch count up early, Los Angeles will need its bullpen sooner than ideal.

Prediction

The Dodgers have the lineup depth, the home crowd at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, and a confirmed starter in Skubal. Atlanta is no pushover — this is a genuine postseason series between two serious clubs — but Los Angeles's positional advantages are real. Expect a competitive, close game. Dodgers win, 4–2.