Sports

Happening Today At 4 P.M.: The Atlanta Braves Visit The Los Angeles Dodgers In Highly Anticipated Game 1 Of The National League Division Series (NLDS) On FOX

By Staff Report / October 3, 2026

The red-hot Atlanta Braves and two-time World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are set to renew one of baseball’s most fierce modern rivalries today at 4:00 PM ET when they collide in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) at a sold-out Dodger Stadium.

The highly anticipated October matchup pits a rested, star-studded Dodgers squad seeking a historic three-peat against a battle-tested Braves team riding the momentum of an emotional Wild Card series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Pitching Quandary

The contrast in pitching strategies for the opener highlights the grueling nature of the postseason. With the benefit of a first-round bye, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is sending newly extended left-hander Tarik Skubal to the mound. Skubal enters the series fresh, fully rested, and anchors a Los Angeles rotation that looks to stymie Atlanta’s potent lineup early.

Conversely, Braves manager Brian Snitker faces an immediate bullpen puzzle. Having exhausted his top-tier starting pitching to eliminate the Phillies, Snitker is expected to deploy a bullpen game for the opener. Veteran left-hander Brent Suter is projected to act as the opener, tasked with navigating a dangerous Dodgers top of the order before handing the ball off to a carousel of relievers.

Star Power on Display

Lineups for both clubs feature an embarrassment of riches. Los Angeles rolls out an MVP-caliber trio at the top, leading with global icon Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter, followed by Mookie Betts at shortstop and former Brave Freddie Freeman at first base.

Atlanta counters with a resilient core of their own. Hot-hitting center fielder Michael Harris II will set the table, while the infield trio of Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley anchors the heart of the order, looking to manufacture runs against Skubal’s elite arsenal.

NLDS Broadcast & Series Schedule

The best-of-five series will showcase its first two games in Southern California before shifting back across the country to Atlanta. Today’s opener will be broadcast coast-to-coast on FOX.

Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 3 at Los Angeles – 4:00 PM (FOX)

Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 4 at Los Angeles – 8:00 PM (FS1)

Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Atlanta – 6:00 PM (FS1)

Game 4 (if necessary): Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Atlanta – 6:00 PM (FS1)

Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, Oct. 9 at Los Angeles – 8:00 PM (FOX)

With a bullpen day meeting a rested ace, Game 1 promises to set a fascinating tactical tone for what sports analysts predict could be a long, dramatic series between two National League titans.

You can watch Game 1 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers live on FOX at 4:00 PM ET.

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