Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2026

3 down. 8 to go.

Andy Pages delivered a two-run single. Max Muncy homered. Tyler Glasnow, Alex Vesia, Eduardo Henriquez, Tanner Scott, and Edwin Díaz were brilliant.

On a picturesque Wednesday night at Truist Park, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves, 4–1, to advance to the NLCS.

In the NLDS, the Dodgers didn’t commit an error and had extraordinary pitching and timely hitting. Their experience showed in this series.

When the Braves scored their only run on a wild pitch in the first inning, the Dodgers could have panicked. They did not.

Shohei Ohtani began the second inning with a walk. He stole second and took third. Mauricio Dubon dropped a routine pop-up, which allowed Ohtani to score.

Tyler Glasnow was good, even though he didn’t have a feel for his curveball. He struggled with his command, walking five. However, he allowed only one hit in his 4.2 innings. He struck out five. When Glasnow needed it, the Dodgers’ defense made a fantastic play.

Alex Vesia was sharp in his 1.1 innings. He allowed a double, and Teoscar Hernández hit his head on the left field wall but remained in the game.

In the seventh inning, right after he hit his head, Teoscar Hernández singled. Josue De Paula, who hit for Kiké Hernández, walked. Kyle Tucker walked to load the bases. Coming into this postseason, Andy Pages needed to have a playoff moment after going 4-for-51 during the 2025 postseason. He delivered with a two-run single.

Díaz had a forgettable 2026 regular season, but he worked his butt off to be able to contribute to his team in the postseason. He retired the Braves in order in the ninth inning to seal the NLDS.

The Dodgers will face either the San Diego Padres or the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to begin the NLCS.