--- title: "NLDS Games 3: Braves and Dodgers Clash" url: https://newscentral.site/nlds-games-3-braves-and-dodgers-clash/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-10-07T01:37:01.000Z updated: 2026-10-07T09:30:32.653Z id: 1dfda3a9-fdcf-4a26-aada-b4aa1b1c2c68 source: "CBS Sports \n https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/nlds-game-3-winners-losers-dodgers-braves-brewers-padres/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/nlds-games-3-braves-and-dodgers-clash/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # NLDS Games 3: Braves and Dodgers Clash The Atlanta Braves hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers in the early game, seeking to regain the lead after their win in Game 2 evened the series at 1-1. Chris Sale is starting for the Braves against Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers. The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason continued on Tuesday with a pair of crucial NLDS Game 3s that will have a significant impact on the outcome of the series. The Atlanta Braves hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers in the early game, seeking to regain the lead after their win in Game 2 evened the series at 1-1 and gave them home-field advantage. The Braves had ace Chris Sale starting against Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was expected to be a formidable opponent. However, it remains to be seen if Sale's full rest will give him an edge over the young pitcher from Japan. Meanwhile, in the nightcap, the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres faced off at Petco Park. The Brewers are currently leading the series 2-0 after taking two close games in Milwaukee, putting the Padres in a difficult position. They must now win three consecutive games against one of the best teams in baseball to advance to the NLCS. The stakes are high for the Padres as they try to overcome their deficit and stay alive in the postseason. The outcome of these crucial games will determine which teams move on to the next round of the playoffs, while others will pack up their gear and head home. The Braves-Dodgers series is expected to be a closely contested battle between two strong teams, with Sale's performance being a key factor in determining the winner. The Dodgers' impressive hitting prowess was on full display in Game 3, as they used their power to take a commanding lead in the series. The team's ability to hit home runs has been a key factor throughout the season, with multiple players contributing to their success. During the regular season, the Dodgers ranked highly in both slugging percentage and home runs, with four hitters reaching at least 20 home runs and seven hitting 15 or more. This depth of power is one reason why they were one of just nine teams to hit over 200 home runs this year. The team's ability to produce multiple home run threats has been a key factor in their success, making them a formidable opponent for any team they face. In Game 3, the Dodgers' hitting was on full display, with several players contributing to their lead. In the top of the fourth inning, Enrique Hernández delivered a crucial blow against Chris Sale, hitting a home run that gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. This was a significant moment in the game, as it shifted momentum firmly in favor of the Dodgers. Hernández's home run was his 12th in the postseason with the Dodgers, making him one of the team's all-time leaders in this category. He now trails only Max Muncy and Corey Seager/Justin Turner on the franchise's list of career playoff home runs. The Braves' Chris Sale took the mound at Truist Park on Tuesday with full rest after being held back in Game 2, and he looked sharp early on. He struck out the side in both the first and second innings, becoming one of just eight pitchers in MLB postseason history to achieve six strikeouts in those two frames. Sale's fastball was clocked at a scorching 100 mph as he dominated through three innings, including a notable pitch to Shohei Ohtani in the third. The Braves' bullpen had been effective so far in the series, and Sale's strong start only added to their confidence. However, the Dodgers began to chip away at Sale's lead in the fourth inning with a pair of home runs. Freddie Freeman, a former Brave, hit one of those homers off Sale, marking just his second career home run allowed by the left-hander on a fastball. Sale had previously allowed only one other home run to a left-handed batter on a fastball throughout his entire career, and that was more than a decade ago. The Dodgers' surge in the fourth inning marked a turning point in the game as they took the lead and put pressure on the Braves. The Dodgers' surge in the fourth inning marked a turning point in the game as they took the lead and put pressure on the Braves. This momentum shift ultimately led to a series-tying win for Los Angeles. Yoshinobu Yamamoto's performance earned him an early 3-0 lead, but Chris Sale's pitching couldn't quite keep pace despite being good overall. In the end, three runs over five innings were not enough to secure a victory against such a strong opponent as Yamamoto. --- Source: [CBS Sports]( https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/nlds-game-3-winners-losers-dodgers-braves-brewers-padres/ ) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/nlds-games-3-braves-and-dodgers-clash/