Back in 2021, it honestly felt like the real World Series took place between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. That is not a slight against the Astros by any means, but the atmosphere was just different in that series. Every plate appearance felt like it mattered, and there were iconic moments throughout the series. In recent years, that rivalry has unfortunately been very one-sided.
The Braves are pulling out all of the stops for this final leg of their West Coast road trip against LA. They lined up Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Bryce Elder in that order to start these three games, and with a day off on Thursday, everyone should be as well-rested and ready to go as one can be while on the road.
Atlanta will need all the help they can get to handle the Dodgers, because in recent years, they have struggled mightily against LA, especially when the Braves are on the road.
Braves have a chance to send a message and end the Dodgers' recent dominance over them
To say that the Dodgers have had the Braves' number in recent years may be putting it mildly. While memories of Tyler Matzek and Eddie Rosario breaking LA's heart are still kinda fresh, the Braves are 3-10 against the Dodgers over the last two seasons. They have lost seven straight road games to LA and are 6-21 on the road against them since the start of 2017. That...is not ideal.
There are signs that this year will be different. The Braves have been one of baseball's best teams so far this season and have definitely been the most consistent, as they only JUST lost their first series in Seattle and still required losing a couple of close games. It also wouldn't be surprising if we saw some roster movement to bring in fresh help and keep LA off-balance.
The Dodgers are also not playing particularly well at the moment, as they are just 5-5 over their last 10 games, and they are returning from a week-long road trip. Injuries are also a concern with Blake Snell (nevermind, apparently he is being activated and will start Saturday), Mookie Betts, and Edwin Diaz among those that are out.
It is May, so the 2026 season will not be made or broken this weekend for either team. Both squads are loaded with too much talent to write off because of the results of this series. However, this is the Braves' chance to change the narrative around this rivalry and remind all their doubters that the Braves are not to be underestimated after a couple of down years.
Add us as a preferred source on Google