The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the National League Division Series with a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy all homered to back a strong start from newly acquired ace Tarik Skubal.
The game was played in brutal heat, with temperatures reportedly reaching triple digits as the sun beat down on Dodger Stadium for the early matchup against Atlanta's bullpen-game approach.
Dodgers Take Early Series Lead at Dodger Stadium
The contest started as a scoreless pitchers' duel, with Skubal matching zeroes against Braves opener Dylan Dodd. Unfortunately, as all this was going on the score was still tied 0-0. That changed in the bottom of the fourth when Atlanta turned to reliever Victor Mederos.
Freddie Freeman walked with one out in the fourth off right-hander Victor Mederos, then Teoscar Hernández smashed a two-run home run into the left field pavilion to open the scoring. The blast traveled 431 feet and put Los Angeles ahead for good.
Teoscar Hernández Breaks the Tie
Hernández has built a reputation as a postseason threat, and this one fit the pattern. The homer was Hernández's ninth in the playoffs with the Dodgers, and fourth to come in the NLDS, with at least one in each of their last six postseason series.
The Dodgers added to the lead in the sixth inning. After the Dodgers' lead had been cut in half, Kyle Tucker provided some breathing room with a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Muncy followed later in the frame with a solo shot that pushed the advantage to four runs.
Braves Bullpen Game Falls Short
Atlanta's strategy of opening with Dodd was built around stealing a few scoreless innings before turning to the rest of its relief corps. Dodd's three innings of brilliance barely had time to settle before the Dodgers flipped the script, as Mederos left one where Hernández could do damage, and Hernández did not miss, launching a two-run shot that gave Los Angeles a lead it never surrendered.
The Braves did not go quietly. Sean Murphy connected for a solo home run, and in the ninth inning Atlanta trimmed the deficit further. The Braves scratched across two runs against Dodgers closer Tanner Scott in the ninth when Ozzie Albies launched a two-run homer into the center-field bleachers, and Evan Phillips replaced Scott and walked Mauricio Dubón, bringing the tying run to the plate in Austin Riley, but Riley grounded out to end it.
Skubal Shines in Dodgers Playoff Debut
The marquee offseason addition delivered in his first start since the Dodgers acquired him. Skubal ended the afternoon with seven strikeouts — four off his signature changeup — and gave up only two hits and one run in his first playoff start for the Dodgers. At one stretch he was nearly untouchable, as an emotional moment came when he froze Austin Riley for a key strikeout mid-game.
The win fits a broader trend for a Los Angeles club that has leaned on the long ball all October. The Dodgers improved to 25-8 (.758) when hitting at least three home runs in a postseason game, including wins in their last six such games dating back to the 2024 World Series.
What Comes Next in the Series
Atlanta arrives at this NLDS fresh off eliminating the Philadelphia Phillies in their Wild Card round, a series that included a dramatic surprise bullpen opener decision by manager Walt Weiss. That momentum now stalls after dropping the opener in Los Angeles.
Series Outlook
Historical trends favor the Dodgers after the Game 1 result. Since 2013, the Game 1 winner in the Division Series has won 42 of 52 series (.808). Los Angeles will look to build on that edge as the best-of-five continues, with the Braves needing to even things up quickly to avoid falling into a deep hole against the two-time defending champions.
Fans can follow continued MLB Playoffs coverage as both franchises push toward the League Championship Series, with the full slate of MLB postseason action continuing across the bracket.