Dodgers vs Braves prediction

Dodgers vs Braves Prediction: NLDS Game 3 Odds, Pitchers & Pick (Oct 6)

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Dodgers vs Braves prediction: Dodgers 4, Braves 3. The NLDS is tied 1-1, and Game 3 is Tuesday, October 6, at 6:00 PM ET at Truist Park in Atlanta (FS1 and Fox One). Los Angeles sends Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Atlanta’s Chris Sale in a matchup of two of the best starters in the National League. Here are the odds, pitching and lineup notes, and our pick.

Dodgers vs Braves Game 3: Odds and Key Info

ItemDetails
First pitchTuesday, October 6, 2026, 6:00 PM ET (3:30 AM IST, Wednesday)
TVFS1 and Fox One
LocationTruist Park, Atlanta
SeriesTied 1-1 (Dodgers won Game 1, 5-3; Braves won Game 2, 3-2)
MoneylineDodgers -112 (SportsLine)
Total6.5 runs

Odds move quickly, so check a sportsbook for current prices.

Dodgers vs Braves Prediction: Yamamoto vs Sale

This is the best pitching matchup of the series. Yamamoto went 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA and 182 strikeouts, and his 0.87 WHIP ranked second among qualified MLB starters. Sale went 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts, and he had a 1.96 ERA over his final 24 regular-season starts.

Atlanta originally considered starting Sale in Game 2, but he recorded the final four outs of Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, so the Braves pushed him back a day. That extra rest and a home crowd are the best arguments for an Atlanta win.

Dodgers: Depth, but a Few Bumps

  • Lineup: Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Kyle Tucker, Andy Pages, Miguel Rojas and Kike Hernandez are listed for Game 3.
  • Injuries: Ohtani (right biceps, left knee) and Freeman (right knee) are playing through lingering issues. Max Muncy was out of the lineup for Game 2, and Blake Treinen (right shoulder) is unlikely to pitch this postseason.
  • Bullpen: After the off day, nearly everyone is available. The exception may be Roki Sasaki, who threw 36 pitches on Sunday.

Braves: Young Bats Carrying the Offense

Atlanta’s lineup features Drake Baldwin at DH, followed by Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, Mauricio Dubon, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Riley and Sean Murphy. Harris has been the hottest bat, going 8 for 20 (.400) this postseason with two three-hit games. Acuna (3 for 18, no extra-base hits) and Olson (3 for 19 with seven strikeouts) are still looking for their rhythm, and the Braves need both to produce against Yamamoto.

What to Watch in Dodgers vs Braves Game 3

  • The home-run battle: Teams that outhomer their opponents win far more often in October, and the Dodgers have the deeper power lineup.
  • Atlanta’s bullpen: The Braves have used multiple relievers in the first two games, so a short Sale outing would be a problem.
  • Ohtani and Freeman: Their health matters more than any single matchup.

Our Dodgers vs Braves Prediction

Sale gives Atlanta a real chance, and Truist Park will be loud. But the Dodgers have the better lineup and a rested bullpen, and Yamamoto has been one of the most efficient starters in baseball. We expect a close game decided late. Pick: Dodgers 4, Braves 3, which would put Los Angeles up 2-1. This is our opinion, not betting advice.

Dodgers vs Braves FAQ

What time is Dodgers vs Braves Game 3?

First pitch is 6:00 PM ET on Tuesday, October 6, on FS1 and Fox One. In India, that is 3:30 AM on Wednesday.

Who is pitching in Game 3?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Chris Sale for the Braves.

What is the NLDS series score?

The series is tied 1-1.

Who is favored in Dodgers vs Braves?

The Dodgers are slight favorites at around -112 on the moneyline.

More MLB playoff coverage: our Yankees vs Rays ALDS prediction and Falcons vs Saints prediction. Details come from MLB.com’s Game 3 preview and SportsLine.

Your take: Do the Dodgers take control of the NLDS in Atlanta, or do the Braves go up 2-1? Drop your score prediction in the comments.

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