Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers: preview, form and head-to-head

Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers

UpcomingMLB · Start · Venue: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers host Atlanta Braves (MLB) on October 4, 2026. Here is how both teams arrive: recent form, the season so far, past meetings and the latest team news.

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The Braves visit the Dodgers for Game 1 of the NLDS, carrying slight statistical edges in power and pitching despite being on the road. Atlanta's lineup has averaged 1.5 home runs per game versus Los Angeles's 1.3, and the Braves' rotation ERA of 2.9 is three-tenths of a run better than the Dodgers' 3.2 mark.

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Matchup edge

Form edge: Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1 in the last 5 games against 2-3 for Atlanta Braves.

Matchup to watch: Atlanta Braves’ attack (index 102) against Los Angeles Dodgers’ defence (index 83).

Matchup to watch: Los Angeles Dodgers’ attack (index 110) against Atlanta Braves’ defence (index 86).

Recent form: last 5

Atlanta Braves: 2 wins and 3 losses in the last 5, with 20 runs scored and 19 conceded.

Atlanta Braves
Oct 3, 2026at Los Angeles DodgersL3–5
Oct 1, 2026vs Philadelphia PhilliesW6–2
Sep 30, 2026vs Philadelphia PhilliesL3–4
Sep 29, 2026vs Philadelphia PhilliesW5–3
Sep 27, 2026at Miami MarlinsL3–5

Los Angeles Dodgers: 4 wins and 1 loss in the last 5, with 18 runs scored and 11 conceded.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Oct 3, 2026vs Atlanta BravesW5–3
Sep 27, 2026at San Francisco GiantsW5–1
Sep 26, 2026at San Francisco GiantsW4–3
Sep 25, 2026at San Francisco GiantsW2–0
Sep 24, 2026vs San Diego PadresL2–4

Results before kickoff, newest first.

Head-to-head

In the last 5 meetings on record, Atlanta Braves won 4, Los Angeles Dodgers won 1.

Oct 3, 2026Los Angeles Dodgers5–3Atlanta Braves
Aug 27, 2026Atlanta Braves1–0Los Angeles Dodgers
Aug 26, 2026Atlanta Braves6–5Los Angeles Dodgers
Aug 25, 2026Atlanta Braves4–3Los Angeles Dodgers
May 10, 2026Los Angeles Dodgers2–7Atlanta Braves

Season so far

Atlanta Braves are 4th of 30 on win rate after 162 games (94-68).

Los Angeles Dodgers are 2nd of 30 on win rate after 162 games (100-62).

#TeamPWLRuns
4Atlanta Braves1629468742:626
2Los Angeles Dodgers16210062801:600

Team season model

  • Atlanta Braves attack index 102: 2% more scoring per game than the league average.
  • Atlanta Braves defence index 86: 14% less conceded per game than the league average.
  • Atlanta Braves rate 7th of 30 on results-based strength, steady over their last 5 games.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers attack index 110: 10% more scoring per game than the league average.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers defence index 83: 17% less conceded per game than the league average.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers rate 2nd of 30 on results-based strength, rising over their last 5 games.

Index 100 is the league average per game. Above 100 in attack means more scoring; below 100 in defence means fewer conceded.

Team news

Atlanta Braves

  • Martin Perez (SP): 15-Day-IL, back. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Perez (back) will not be available for the NLDS against the Dodgers, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports. (ESPN, Oct 2, 2026)
  • Bryce Elder (SP): 15-Day-IL, right knee. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Elder (knee) will not be available for the NLDS against the Dodgers, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports. (ESPN, Oct 2, 2026)
  • Tyler Mahle (SP): Day-To-Day, abdomen. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said after Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Wednesday that Mahle suffered an abdominal injury while warming up and nearly didn't start as… (ESPN, Sep 30, 2026)

Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Blake Treinen (RP): 15-Day-IL, right shoulder. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Saturday that Treinen (shoulder) hasn't been ruled out for a return in the postseason, Jon Paul Hoornstra of Newsweek.com reports. (ESPN, Oct 3, 2026)
  • Dodgers NLDS Game 1 lineup: Shohei Ohtani bats 2nd — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers for Game 1 of the National League Division Series will have their planned nine starting position players together in the lineup for only the second time in… (Yahoo Sports, Oct 3, 2026)
  • Will Klein (RP): 60-Day-IL, right elbow. Klein (elbow) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. (ESPN, Sep 22, 2026)

Headlines gathered October 3, 2026 from the outlets named. Third-party reporting, not verified by SportAnalyst.

What the full preview covers

  • Key factors: the matchups and numbers that shape this game.
  • Player form: recent output from the players who matter most.
  • Team news: injuries and availability from the latest reports.
  • Analyst chat: ask follow-up questions about this game (All-Access).
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