Dodgers vs Braves Today: Game Time, Starting Pitchers, Live Score and What to Watch
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves meet again Wednesday night at Truist Park, and after Atlanta stole Game 1, the pressure is now on Los Angeles to respond.
The Dodgers vs Braves series has already delivered the kind of late-game drama baseball fans love.
Atlanta won Tuesday's opener 4–3, ending the Dodgers' six-game winning streak and taking a 1–0 lead in the three-game series. Now the Dodgers get another shot at the Braves on Wednesday, with Roki Sasaki scheduled to start for Los Angeles against Atlanta's AJ Smith-Shawver.
And there is plenty more at stake than simply evening the series.
Both teams entered this matchup leading their respective National League divisions, while the race for a top-two playoff seed—and the valuable first-round bye that comes with it—continues to take shape. MLB itself has described this series as an important clash between two division leaders.
Dodgers vs Braves Today: What You Need to Know
Wednesday's game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Los Angeles enters at 80–52, while Atlanta is 77–55. The Braves currently lead the series 1–0.
The game is scheduled to air on MLB Network, with local coverage also listed for the Dodgers and Braves markets.
Game information
Matchup: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
Series: Braves lead 1–0
Dodgers record: 80–52
Braves record: 77–55
What Happened in Dodgers vs Braves Game 1?
Tuesday's opener was much closer than the final score might suggest.
Atlanta built an early advantage before the Dodgers fought their way back into the game. Los Angeles eventually tied the contest, setting up a tense finish.
The Braves found the decisive run late and held on for a 4–3 victory.
The ending was particularly painful for the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani opened the ninth inning with a triple, putting the tying run in scoring position immediately. But Atlanta's bullpen managed to escape the threat and protect the one-run lead.
The victory snapped Los Angeles' six-game winning streak and gave Atlanta an early advantage in a series that could have implications for postseason positioning.
Now the question is simple:
Can the Dodgers answer back?
Roki Sasaki vs AJ Smith-Shawver
The pitching matchup is one of the biggest storylines heading into Wednesday's game.
Roki Sasaki — Los Angeles Dodgers
Sasaki is scheduled to take the mound for Los Angeles.
He enters with:
5–5 record
4.42 ERA
1.30 WHIP
114 strikeouts
Those numbers come from MLB's current probable-pitcher listing for the matchup.
The Dodgers will be hoping Sasaki can give them a strong start and prevent Atlanta from jumping ahead early.
After dropping Game 1, an efficient start from Sasaki could be exactly what Los Angeles needs to settle the game down.
AJ Smith-Shawver — Atlanta Braves
The Braves will counter with right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver.
His current numbers entering the matchup are:
0–0 record
6.23 ERA
1.61 WHIP
7 strikeouts
Smith-Shawver has made two starts according to the current matchup information.
On paper, this gives the Dodgers lineup an opportunity.
But Atlanta already has momentum after Tuesday's win, and baseball has a funny way of ignoring what looks good on paper.
Shohei Ohtani vs Braves: The Player Everyone Will Watch
Let's be honest—when Shohei Ohtani is in the lineup, he tends to become part of the story.
That was certainly true in Game 1.
Ohtani's ninth-inning triple briefly put the Dodgers in position to tie the game, but Atlanta escaped.
Ohtani enters Wednesday's matchup with 30 home runs, 80 RBIs and a .287 batting average according to the current season statistics listed for the game.
The Braves know exactly how dangerous he is.
But that's the problem with facing the Dodgers: even if a pitcher successfully navigates around Ohtani, the lineup still has hitters such as Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Mookie Betts waiting behind him.
Freeman is currently hitting .299, while Muncy has 26 home runs and Betts has 16.
Matt Olson and the Braves' Offense
Atlanta isn't short on offensive firepower either.
Matt Olson leads the Braves with 36 home runs and 77 RBIs entering Wednesday's game.
Then there is Ozzie Albies, who delivered the key hit in Game 1.
Albies has 20 home runs and 67 RBIs this season, while Michael Harris II is hitting .293 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs.
That's why this matchup is so interesting.
The Dodgers have the star power.
The Braves have plenty of it too.
Dodgers vs Braves: Why This Game Matters
This isn't just another August series.
The Dodgers and Braves are both sitting atop their divisions, and the postseason race is getting more serious with September approaching.
Under MLB's current postseason format, the top two division winners in each league receive a first-round bye, sending them directly to the Division Series.
That makes the race for the top spots particularly important.
MLB has specifically highlighted this Dodgers-Braves series as a potentially meaningful part of the playoff-seeding battle.
So while neither team needs to panic over one regular-season game, there is plenty of incentive to win this series.
Dodgers vs Braves Team Comparison
The offenses are surprisingly close in some categories.The Dodgers have hit 167 home runs this season, while Atlanta has hit 168.
Los Angeles is batting .258 as a team, second-best in MLB, while Atlanta is at .247.
The Dodgers have scored 656 runs, compared with 618 for the Braves.
That tells you something important:
This isn't a matchup where one offense is clearly superior across the board.
Both lineups can change a game quickly.
Dodgers vs Braves Game Time
For fans searching “Dodgers vs Braves game time,” the scheduled first pitch is:
7:15 p.m. Eastern Time
That translates to:
6:15 p.m. Central
5:15 p.m. Mountain
4:15 p.m. Pacific
The game is being played at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Where to Watch Dodgers vs Braves
The August 26 matchup is scheduled for MLB Network.
Local coverage is also listed through SportsNet LA and BravesVision. Availability can vary depending on the viewer's location and TV package.
For fans who can't watch the full game, MLB and major sports platforms will provide live scores, play-by-play updates and statistics.
Dodgers vs Braves Live Score
Searching for the Dodgers vs Braves live score?
The game is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. ET, so there is no final score to report before first pitch.
Once the game begins, the live score can change inning by inning, so fans should use live MLB coverage for the latest result.
Current series: Atlanta leads 1–0.
Dodgers vs Braves Prediction
This one is difficult to call.
The Dodgers are currently favored on the listed moneyline, but Atlanta has home-field advantage and already proved Tuesday that it can win a tight game against Los Angeles. The current line lists Los Angeles at -131 and Atlanta at +110, with an over/under of 9 runs.
If Sasaki gives the Dodgers a strong start, Los Angeles has enough offensive depth to even the series.
But if Atlanta gets to Sasaki early, the Braves could put the Dodgers in another uncomfortable position.
Our game prediction
Dodgers have a slight edge, but expect a close game.
A reasonable prediction is that this could again come down to the late innings rather than becoming a blowout.
The biggest question isn't whether either team can score.
It's which bullpen handles the pressure better when the game gets tight.
5 Things to Watch in Dodgers vs Braves
1. Can Roki Sasaki slow down Atlanta?
The Dodgers need a clean start from Sasaki.
2. Will Ohtani get another big moment?
After his ninth-inning triple Tuesday, all eyes will be on him again.
3. Can Smith-Shawver survive the Dodgers lineup?
The Dodgers have the second-best team batting average in MLB, so Atlanta's starter has a difficult assignment.
4. Does Atlanta's bullpen come through again?
The Braves protected a one-run lead Tuesday. Another close game could put their relievers under pressure.
5. Who wins the late innings?
That may ultimately decide this series.
Dodgers vs Braves: What Comes Next?
The two teams meet again Thursday, August 27, to finish the three-game series.
That game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
The probable pitching matchup listed for Thursday is particularly interesting: Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled for Los Angeles against Chris Sale for Atlanta.
So even after Wednesday's game, this series has another major matchup waiting.
Final Take
The Dodgers vs Braves series has already delivered one close game, and there is no reason to expect Wednesday's matchup to be any less interesting.
Atlanta has the momentum after a 4–3 victory.
Los Angeles has the urgency to respond.
Roki Sasaki gets the ball.
AJ Smith-Shawver gets the challenge of facing one of baseball's deepest lineups.
And somewhere in the middle of all of it is Shohei Ohtani, who has already shown how quickly he can change a game.
That's what makes this matchup worth watching.
It's two division leaders, two talented rosters and two teams that have their eyes firmly on October.
Game 2 is set for 7:15 p.m. ET at Truist Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Dodgers vs Braves today?
The Dodgers vs Braves game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Who is pitching for the Dodgers today?
Roki Sasaki is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. He enters at 5–5 with a 4.42 ERA and 114 strikeouts.
Who is pitching for the Braves today?
AJ Smith-Shawver is scheduled to start for Atlanta. His current record is 0–0 with a 6.23 ERA.
Who won Dodgers vs Braves Game 1?
The Atlanta Braves won Game 1, 4–3, taking a 1–0 lead in the series.
Where is Dodgers vs Braves being played?
The game is being played at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Where can I watch Dodgers vs Braves?
The game is scheduled for MLB Network, with local coverage also listed through SportsNet LA and BravesVision.
Where can I find the Dodgers vs Braves live score?
Live scores and play-by-play updates are available through MLB's official game coverage and major sports platforms once the game begins.
What is the Dodgers vs Braves series score?
The Braves currently lead the three-game series 1–0 after their 4–3 win Tuesday.
Are Dodgers and Braves both division leaders?
Yes. The Dodgers currently lead the NL West, while the Braves lead the NL East.
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