The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, with Tarik Skubal delivering a dominant six-inning performance to stake the Dodgers to a series lead. Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker, and Max Muncy each hit home runs in the victory, while Dylan Dodd held the Dodgers scoreless through three innings for Atlanta.
Skubal allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out seven batters, despite the game being played in 100-degree heat—the second-hottest first-pitch temperature in postseason history. The Dodgers' bullpen preserved the lead after Skubal exited, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell combining for three scoreless innings to close out the game.
The Braves, forced into a bullpen game after their wild-card round, saw their starter Dodd exit after three innings with Atlanta trailing 2-0. Victor Mederos relieved but immediately surrendered a two-run homer to Hernández in the fourth, putting the Dodgers ahead for good. Freddie Freeman drew a walk before Hernández's blast, which traveled 431 feet into the left-field bleachers at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers' offense added insurance runs in the sixth inning, with Tucker and Muncy hitting solo home runs to extend the lead to 5-1. The Braves scored twice in the eighth and ninth innings, but the Dodgers' bullpen held on to secure the victory. The series now shifts to Atlanta for Game 2 on Sunday.
Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman emphasized the importance of a strong starting rotation, noting that the team's ability to rely on Skubal, Snell, Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow has improved their postseason outlook. The Dodgers, seeking their third straight World Series title, will look to build on this win when the series resumes.