The first chunk of the Dodgers’ National League Division Series schedule just dropped, and Game 1 is already a nail-biter. That Saturday opener at Dodger Stadium has two possible start times, hanging entirely on who survives the Wild Card series between the Cubs and Padres. No, really, it’s that wild.
The Wild Card Ripple Effect
Game 2 on Sunday, October 4th, is locked in: 5 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium, under the lights on FS1. That’s a sure thing. But Game 1? Total toss-up. If the Cubs beat the Padres in their Wild Card matchup, the Dodgers kick off Game 1 at 6 p.m. PT on Saturday, October 3rd, on FS1. If the Padres move on, then Dodgers fans are looking at a 1 p.m. PT start for Game 1, also on FS1. What a way to start October baseball! The Dodgers won’t even play the Cubs or Padres in the NLDS. Their opponent will be the winner of the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies Wild Card series, where Atlanta is currently up 1-0 in that best-of-3 battle. So much for a clear path!
Fox Owns October, Full Schedule Glimpse
Good news for fans who live and breathe every pitch: Fox Sports is your go-to for the entire National League playoff run, all the way through the World Series. Every Dodgers game this October is going to be televised by either Fox or FS1. No missing a single moment. While announcer assignments are still TBD, we’ve got an initial series layout. Game 1 on Saturday, Oct 3rd, is either 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. PT. Game 2 on Sunday, Oct 4th, is the 5 p.m. PT slot. Then the series shifts, with Game 3 on Tuesday, Oct 6th, and a potential Game 4 on Wednesday, Oct 7th, both in Atlanta or Philadelphia with times still to be announced. If it goes the distance, Game 5 would be back at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct 9th. Intense!
Playoff Marathon Kicks Off
Saturday, October 3rd, is a full-on baseball feast, with all four Division Series openers scheduled. Interestingly, the American League series get Sunday off before jumping back in on Monday for Game 2s. Not the National League! Sunday, October 4th, is packed with two NL series games, meaning back-to-back action. For context, Saturday’s lineup also includes an ALDS Game 1 at 10 a.m. PT (Astros/White Sox at Guardians on TBS) and another at 3:30 p.m. PT (Yankees/Red Sox at Rays on TBS). The NL also has the Cubs at Brewers or Padres at Brewers for their Game 1. Sunday then rolls into NLDS Game 2s, including Padres/Cubs at Brewers at 1 p.m. PT on FS1, before the Dodgers’ 5 p.m. PT slot against the Braves/Phillies on Fox. It’s an absolute whirlwind!
So there you have it: the Dodgers are on deck for what promises to be an insane NLDS, but we’ve got to wait for those Wild Card series to play out before we even know the exact start time for Game 1. Keep your eyes glued to those Wild Card games, because who wins determines when the real action starts for the Dodgers. What a way to kick off October! Get ready, because the rest of the Division Series times are dropping later this week once all the Wild Card chaos settles. It’s gonna be epic.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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