The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. ET from Truist Park, Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta Braves enter at 78-55 (.586), while the Los Angeles Dodgers sit at 80-53 (.602). Chris Sale (12-9, 2.20 ERA in 135 innings) takes the mound for the Braves, opposed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-7, 2.61 ERA in 151.2 innings). Below, we'll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game. How to Watch Dodgers vs. Braves Players To Watch Sale sets the tone for Atlanta. The Braves have their clearest edge when he owns the mound, and his 2026 line backs it up: 12-9 with a 2.20 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 166 strikeouts in 135 innings and 16 quality starts. Now comes the real test. The Dodgers rank first in OPS and second in both batting average and slugging percentage. Atlanta pitchers have held opponents to a .232 average, while Sale has been even tougher at .222. If Sale gets through Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman cleanly and works deep into the game, Atlanta can shrink the night and play to the strength of a staff that ranks fifth in ERA. One swing could decide this matchup, and no Atlanta hitter is better equipped to deliver it than Olson. He leads the Braves with 37 home runs and 78 RBI, while his .538 slugging percentage anchors a lineup that ranks fifth in slugging and seventh in homers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been excellent, but Dodgers pitchers have still allowed 150 home runs. That gives Olson a clear opening. Atlanta does not create much pressure with its legs, so the Braves need their middle-order power to produce. If Olson gets a mistake or forces Los Angeles to work around him, the entire Atlanta lineup becomes more difficult to navigate. Yamamoto can answer Sale pitch for pitch. The Dodgers right-hander enters at 12-7 with a 2.61 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 145 strikeouts in 151.2 innings and 18 quality starts. Opponents are hitting just .187 against him. That dominance has helped Los Angeles lead the majors in quality starts while ranking near the top in WHIP and opponent batting average. But Atlanta presents a serious challenge. The Braves lead the NL East, are 44-23 at home and have enough power to punish anything left over the plate. Yamamoto’s command against Olson, Michael Harris II and Drake Baldwin will shape the night. If he stays ahead and keeps Atlanta out of hitter’s counts, the Dodgers can put this game on their terms. Ohtani owns the biggest swing in this matchup. He leads Los Angeles with 30 home runs and is tied for the team lead with 80 RBI, along with a .288 average, .388 on-base percentage and .546 slugging percentage. He has also stayed dangerous lately, going 11-for-41 with a double, two triples, three home runs and four RBI over his past 10 games. Sale is the toughest assignment on the board, which makes this the matchup to watch. If Ohtani reaches base or drives a mistake, he can crack open a game otherwise built to become a pitching duel. Dodgers vs. Braves Odds Learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves game and check the full MLB schedule on FOX Sports! Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
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