The Dodgers just snagged a crucial 2-1 lead over the Braves in their NLDS showdown, and with that win, they’re only two games away from continuing their chase for MLB’s first three-peat since the Yankees pulled it off from 1998 to 2000. These two powerhouses, who have claimed four of the last six World Series titles between them, are really going at it in what everyone knew would be a must-watch series.
Recapping the First Two Brawls
Game 1 went the Dodgers’ way, a 5-3 home victory that felt way more dominant than the score suggests, mostly because Atlanta tacked on a two-run homer in the top of the ninth when it was already pretty much over. Tarik Skubal was absolutely lights out in his first postseason start in L.A., giving up just one run on two hits across six masterful innings. Kyle Tucker also wasted no time getting things going, crushing a two-run bomb in the bottom of the sixth to kick off his postseason.
But then the Braves said, “Hold up, we got a series!” in Game 2. While both teams combined for 12 hits, Atlanta found the timely ones, scraping out a 3-2 victory to even things up. The Dodgers had hoped for more out of Blake Snell, but he only lasted 3.2 innings, allowing one run and walking five, which isn’t exactly what you want in a playoff game. The Braves, on the other hand, played it smart with a bullpen game, and it paid off.
Yamamoto’s Statement and the Historical Stakes
Then came Game 3 on Tuesday, and man, did the Dodgers show up. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP, delivered a performance that was pure nails. He absolutely dealt, striking out 10 batters and giving up only one run over seven incredible innings. Freddie Freeman and Kike Hernandez then decided to drop some bombs, both hitting home runs in the fourth inning to give L.A. the three runs they needed for the victory. That’s how you make a statement.
This Dodgers-Braves rivalry runs deep, too. They’ve faced off four times in the postseason since 2013, always bringing the drama. L.A. took the NLDS in both 2013 and 2018, both times with a 3-1 series win. Remember 2020? The Dodgers came back from a 3-1 deficit in the NLCS to win in seven games, then went on to win the World Series. Atlanta got their revenge in the 2021 NLCS, winning 4-2 before snagging their own championship. The Braves fought their way here too, beating their NL East rivals, the Phillies, in Game 3 of the wild-card series. Now, with the Dodgers up 2-1, they’re sitting as heavy favorites at -550 to win the series, while the Braves are +400 underdogs.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for either team. The Dodgers are just two wins away from moving one step closer to a historic three-peat, a feat not seen in over two decades. The Braves, as we’ve seen before, are absolutely capable of fighting back. This series is far from over, but with Yamamoto dealing like that, L.A. is looking seriously dangerous.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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