Losing Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday night, the Dodgers and Braves are now deadlocked at one game apiece, completely shifting the series momentum. Home-field advantage has officially moved to Atlanta for the next two crucial games at Truist Park. What does that mean for Chavez Ravine? Simple: the Dodgers absolutely need to snag at least one win on the road if they want to play another game at Dodger Stadium this season.
The Most Likely Path Back to Chavez Ravine: A Winner-Take-All Showdown
Let’s be real, the most realistic scenario for the Dodgers to return home is by splitting the next two games in Atlanta. If they manage to do that, we’re looking at a winner-take-all Game 5 of the Division Series. That epic showdown would go down on Friday, October 9, in Los Angeles. Imagine the tension in that building, with everything on the line! It’s the kind of baseball fans live for, but it means they have to buckle up and fight for it in enemy territory first.
Winning Out to Advance: A Long Shot for an NLCS Home Game
Now, for the scenarios that feel a bit more like a long shot, but are still on the table. If the Dodgers somehow sweep both games in Atlanta, winning the NLDS outright, they could potentially host an NLCS Game 1 on Sunday, October 11, against the Padres. But hold up, this one’s a total long-shot because too many dominoes need to fall. Not only would the Dodgers need to win twice on the road, but the Padres would also have to pull off a miracle comeback against the Brewers, digging out of their own 2-0 hole to win the next three games.
Alternatively, if the Dodgers sweep the Braves and avoid Game 5, they could host NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday, October 14, against the Brewers. The Brewers, sitting pretty with baseball’s best record at 103-59, would obviously start any NLCS at home in Milwaukee. They only need one more win to punch their ticket to a second straight NLCS, so it’s a tough path no matter what.
The Nightmare Scenario: Season Over, Lockout Looms for 2027
Here’s the gut-punch scenario: if the Dodgers drop both of the next two games in Atlanta, their 2026 season is just, well, over. Done. That means the earliest they’d play again at Dodger Stadium would be Opening Day 2027, currently scheduled for Thursday, March 26. But even that’s far from a guarantee. The collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, and a lockout is expected. We’re talking about a potentially “long battle” between owners and players over a new CBA. So, the question of whether next season even starts on time is a whole other beast.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. It all comes down to those next two games in Atlanta. Win one, and they guarantee a trip back to Chavez Ravine. Lose both, and that’s it for 2026, with 2027 looking like a whole different kind of fight before a single pitch is even thrown.
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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