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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 21: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on August 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are rolling right now and have created some separation between themselves and the Atlanta Braves for the No.2 seed in the National League, but are still attempting to catch the Milwaukee Brewers for the top record in MLB.
Next up on the Dodgers’ schedule is a three-game date with the Atlanta Braves (on the road). LA’s last two series have been a little bit easier competition facing the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates, but a road series with the NL-East-leading Braves will be a good litmus test for both sides.
Before the Dodgers-Braves series began, both team’s revealed their probable starters, and the series features a couple of really exciting matchups. Let’s get into the details!
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Dodgers Reveal Starters for Braves Series
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 06: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 06, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves carry a 76-55 record into this series, while the Los Angeles Dodgers reached the 80-win plateau on Sunday and is 80-51. The Braves’ divisional lead has dwindled to just 3.0 games over the Phillies, while the Dodgers have been able to stave off the surging Padres with a 9-game lead in the NL West.
These matchups are courtesy of MLB.com and, of course, are subject to change:
- Tuesday, August 25: Tyler Glasnow (3–0, 2.72 ERA, 49 SO) vs. Bryce Elder (8–7, 3.92 ERA, 113 SO)
- Wednesday, August 26: Roki Sasaki (5–5, 4.42 ERA, 114 SO) vs. AJ Smith-Shawver (0–0, 6.23 ERA, 7 SO)
- Thursday, August 27: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12–7, 2.61 ERA, 145 SO) vs. Chris Sale (12–9, 2.20 ERA, 166 SO)
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Some quick notes regarding the starting pitching matchups:
Tyler Glasnow is slated to be activated off the Injured List and make his first start since early May, as he had been dealing with a back issue. After a lengthy rehab, Glasnow appears to be ready to return to the fold, and manager Dave Roberts said he will not have a pitch count, but that could also be subject to change.
Roki Sasaki seems to be getting better and better as his glove continues to grow. It’s a low-key change, but it appears to be aiding Roki in his command and hiding the ball a little better.
Easily the best pitching matchup of this series will come on Thursday in the series finale between two starters (Chris Sale and Yoshinobu Yamamoto) who will likely both finish top-5 in the NL CY Young voting.
As for the Braves, AJ Smith-Shawver will be making just his 3rd start this season, and Bryce Elder will look to follow up his last strong start against the Diamondbacks (6 IP, 1 ER).
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TJ French covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience.
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