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Dodgers fans have plenty of reasons for confidence, but Los Angeles faces a critical test in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. After earning a 5-3 victory in the opener at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers can move within one win of the National League Championship Series with another strong performance.
Atlanta, meanwhile, is under enormous pressure to respond before the series shifts to Truist Park. The Braves are not technically in must-win territory, but dropping the first two games at home would create a historic uphill battle. MLB postseason history shows that teams taking a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series have advanced 89% of the time, winning 83 of 93 such series.
Dodgers Turn to Blake Snell in a Critical NLDS Game
First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium, with FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX One providing coverage. The Dodgers will send left-hander Blake Snell to the mound, while Atlanta counters with lefty Ray Kerr.
Snell’s strikeout ability could be a major factor. His 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings ranked sixth among qualified Major League starters with at least 40 innings. He also has strong postseason experience with Los Angeles, posting a 0.86 ERA across three starts through last year’s NL Championship Series.
However, Snell’s World Series performance last October left him motivated to deliver more this time. He allowed five earned runs in each of his two World Series starts. Shoulder fatigue and elbow surgery limited him to nine regular-season starts this year, while a late-season groin issue also created concern. Still, Snell completed his final start and bye-week workouts without reporting further problems.
Braves Hope Ray Kerr Can Slow Los Angeles
Kerr enters the matchup after a valuable relief appearance in Atlanta’s Wild Card Series victory over Philadelphia. He threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 3 and will now be asked to provide length against one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups.
The Dodgers adjusted their batting order to face another left-handed pitcher. Mookie Betts leads off at shortstop, followed by Shohei Ohtani at designated hitter and Will Smith behind the plate. Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker round out a formidable middle of the order.
- Mookie Betts, SS
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Will Smith, C
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Teoscar Hernández, LF
- Kyle Tucker, RF
- Andy Pages, CF
- Miguel Rojas, 3B
- Tommy Edman, 2B
Hernández and Tucker carried their late-season momentum into Game 1, with each hitting a two-run homer. Edman went hitless but reached base with a walk, and the Dodgers will look for more production from the bottom half of the order.
Atlanta’s Lineup Features Key Returns
The Braves will bring Sean Murphy back into the lineup as the designated hitter. Murphy has already doubled and homered during his first six postseason at-bats and owns a strong career record against Snell, going 3-for-8 with a double and home run.
Lane Thomas is also set to make his first start since straining his left intercostal muscle on Sept. 7. Atlanta will need improved production from Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin, all of whom struggled in the early games of the postseason.
- Drake Baldwin, C
- Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
- Matt Olson, 1B
- Ozzie Albies, 2B
- Michael Harris II, CF
- Mauricio Dubón, SS
- Sean Murphy, DH
- Austin Riley, 3B
- Lane Thomas, LF
Ozzie Albies has been Atlanta’s hottest hitter, going 4-for-12 with two home runs and a triple through four postseason games. Michael Harris II owns a .908 postseason OPS, while Austin Riley has posted a .792 OPS. The Braves will need those contributors to support a lineup searching for consistency.
Rested Bullpens Could Decide the Showdown
Both teams should have their late-inning weapons available. Atlanta’s Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee and Robert Suarez enter the game with at least two days of rest. The Dodgers used four relievers in Game 1, but none exceeded 15 pitches, leaving the entire bullpen in position to contribute.
The health report is more complicated. Braves pitchers Bryce Elder and Martín Pérez are unavailable for the series, while Dodgers players Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman continue managing lingering injuries. Will Klein has begun facing hitters but remains a depth option, and Blake Treinen is unlikely to pitch because of right shoulder inflammation.
For Los Angeles, the opportunity is clear: protect home field, seize a commanding series advantage and put Atlanta on the brink. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is also one postseason victory away from tying Tony La Russa for second place on the all-time managerial playoff wins list, with Joe Torre holding the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS Game 2?
Game 2 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium. The game will air on FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX One.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Blake Snell starts for the Dodgers, while Ray Kerr takes the mound for the Braves.
Why is Game 2 so important?
A team that takes a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series has historically advanced 89% of the time. Atlanta is especially eager to avoid losing both home games before the series moves to Truist Park.
Who is the Dodgers player to watch?
Blake Snell is the key player to watch because of his strikeout rate, postseason experience and ability to limit Atlanta’s left-handed power bats.
