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Thoughts on first two Dodgers-Braves NLDS games

The Dodgers’ path to the NLDS has narrowed to a best-of-three showdown in Atlanta, where the Braves now hold the home-field advantage after a tight two-game series. Los Angeles’ rotation depth remains their strongest weapon, but that edge was overshadowed by a lackluster outing from Blake Snell in Game 2, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings while walking five batters.

Despite the Dodgers’ bullpen struggling to contain Atlanta’s relievers, their offense has yet to capitalize on the Braves’ bullpen-heavy approach, managing only three runs across both games—a stark contrast to their defensive resilience, which held the Braves to three runs in each contest. Atlanta’s strategy of wearing down starters early has paid off, with left-handers Dylan Dodd and Ray Kerr combining for five scoreless innings across the first two games, including Kerr’s strong return from Tommy John surgery.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had outlined the plan to exhaust Atlanta’s starters and force early reliever appearances, but the team has yet to execute it effectively, with no Braves pitcher facing multiple innings against them so far.

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