The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Truist Park on Thursday, August 27 for a prime-time showdown against the Atlanta Braves, with first pitch set for 7:15 PM ET on FS1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the ball for Los Angeles against Atlanta's Chris Sale in what shapes up as one of the more compelling pitching matchups of the regular season. With the Dodgers lineup stacked from top to bottom — Shohei Ohtani leading off, Mookie Betts hitting third, and Freddie Freeman anchoring the cleanup spot — Los Angeles arrives in Atlanta ready to make a statement on the road.

Pitching Matchup: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Chris Sale

Yamamoto is the centerpiece of this one. The right-hander has been a cornerstone of the Dodgers rotation since arriving in Los Angeles, and a road start against a veteran arm like Sale is exactly the kind of test that reveals what a pitcher is made of. Sale, the crafty left-hander Atlanta has relied on for big moments, will try to exploit any timing issues in that deep Dodgers lineup. Neither pitcher's current season stats are available at time of publication, but the reputations and the rosters surrounding them are reason enough to tune in early.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup

• 1. Shohei Ohtani — DH
• 2. Tommy Edman — CF
• 3. Mookie Betts — SS
• 4. Freddie Freeman — 1B
• 5. Teoscar Hernández — LF
• 6. Miguel Rojas — 2B
• 7. Alex Call — RF
• 8. Enrique Hernández — 3B
• 9. Ben Rortvedt — C

Atlanta Braves Lineup

• 1. Drake Baldwin — C
• 2. Ozzie Albies — 2B
• 3. Matt Olson — 1B
• 4. Mauricio Dubón — LF
• 5. Michael Harris II — CF
• 6. Lane Thomas — DH
• 7. Mike Yastrzemski — RF
• 8. Austin Riley — 3B
• 9. Ha-Seong Kim — SS

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers

• Ohtani sets the tone early. When Shohei Ohtani gets on base in the first inning, this Dodgers offense operates at a different level. Edman behind him provides the speed, and Betts and Freeman following up create an almost impossible gauntlet for any pitcher to navigate in the early innings.
• Yamamoto's command against a dangerous middle of the order. Matt Olson hitting third for Atlanta means Yamamoto will need to be precise against a left-handed power hitter who can change the game with one swing. How Yamamoto attacks Olson in key counts is worth monitoring inning to inning.
• Freddie Freeman vs. his former team. Freeman spent a decade in Atlanta and has made a habit of producing in emotionally charged matchups. His at-bats against Sale will be appointment viewing.
• The bottom of the Dodgers order. Rojas, Call, Enrique Hernández, and Rortvedt need to contribute. In a tight game against a pitcher like Sale, the Dodgers cannot afford to let the lineup shut down at the six-hole.

Prediction

This is a road game against a quality opponent with a proven starter on the mound, and those are never automatic wins. But the Dodgers have the lineup depth to scratch out runs against anybody, and Yamamoto in a big spot is a reliable proposition. Expect a low-scoring, competitive game that comes down to the late innings. Dodgers win, 3–2.