The Stakes Are Higher Than Usual
August series usually mean little, but this one defines the postseason path for two giants. The Atlanta Braves welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Truist Park for a three-game showdown that decides who gets the top seed. Both teams sit atop their divisions with a month left in the regular season. They’re fighting for one specific prize: a first-round bye. This single series could swing the entire playoff picture in favor of one team.
The Dodgers have been solid but not perfect, sitting at 11-10 in August. They recently went on a six-game winning streak to pull away from the Braves in the standings. Atlanta needs to close that gap badly, especially after a rough stretch against the Brewers. The Braves return home with a 3 1/2-game lead over the Phillies, but the pressure is real. A loss here hurts their chances for that coveted bye.
Win or lose.
The Pitching Matchups Set The Tone
Tyler Glasnow returns to the mound for Los Angeles against Bryce Elder on Tuesday night. The Dodgers have been careful with their arms all season, and Glasnow has made just seven starts before a back injury sidelined him. This marks his first return to active duty since early May. The Braves will rely on Elder to hold the line against a dangerous lineup.
Looking ahead, Roki Sasaki faces AJ Smith-Shawver on Wednesday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the hill against Chris Sale on Thursday. These matchups highlight the depth both teams possess heading into October. The Dodgers have the second-most position player fWAR and the fourth-most pitching fWAR in the league. They’re good, even if they haven’t been the absolute best team on paper.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the importance of this specific series in recent comments. He noted, “Obviously, I think the season series matters, and hopefully, it doesn’t come into play.” Roberts also warned that Atlanta has struggled recently, stating, according to MLB.com, “They’re a really good ballclub. I think they’re sort of scuffling right now, but we’re going to get their best.” Both clubs know what’s on the line.
Why This Series Defines October
The Braves have enough issues right now that setting lofty goals like catching the Dodgers feels risky. Yet, this is their chance to stop the bleeding and prove they belong at the top. The Dodgers are 80 wins and have a comfortable 9 1/2-game lead in the NL West. They’re getting healthier, with Shohei Ohtani not far behind in their rotation plans. If the Dodgers win this series, they essentially lock up the tiebreaker for the bye.
Atlanta cannot afford another skid. The offensive struggles from the Brewers series must end immediately. The Braves are 21 games over .500, but that margin means nothing if they lose the head-to-head tiebreaker. Survival in the playoff seeding race is the only goal left. The Dodgers have been generically above-average for seven weeks, but they know how to win when it counts.
Expect a physical, high-stakes battle at Truist Park. The Braves need to get their best out of Bryce Elder. The Dodgers need to protect their lead. The outcome of these three games will determine who has the easier path to the World Series. There’s no room for error for either side.
The series concludes on Thursday when Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces Chris Sale. Fans should also mark their calendars for the 2025 World Series Ohtani Ring Giveaway Night on Sept. 2. That event will happen after this critical three-game set.
