Dodgers Brace for Surging Braves in High-Stakes Series at Chavez Ravine
A red-hot Braves team meets the Dodgers in a high-stakes series. Full preview: pitching matchups, game times, and major injury updates for both clubs.
Los Angeles Dodgers (23-14) versus Atlanta Braves (26-12)
LOS ANGELES, CA—“Somehow, the Braves returned”—or at least that’s how the famous line from Poe Dameron in The Rise of Skywalker goes. And it fits. Out of nowhere, what looked like a bottom-dwelling Braves team has surged back into relevance heading into their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who currently hold the best record in Major League Baseball.
In a division that featured heavyweight favorites in the National League East between the rich New York Mets and the back-to-back NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies, it’s the Braves who have started off the year hot.
Which is somewhat unexpected, given how bad they were last year and how bad they’ve been this season.
Headlined by strong starting pitching by veteran ace Chris Sale, along with an MVP-type start by first baseman Matt Olsen, Atlanta has pushed to an MLB-best 26-12 record, despite finally losing. Their first series of the year, earlier this week, was against the Seattle Mariners.
Still, despite the series loss, the Braves have been playing an excellent brand of baseball, winners of seven of their last ten games, pushing their NL East lead to an MLB-best eight games.
As for the Dodgers, they’ve been relatively mediocre over the last week plus thanks to an inconsistent offense.
Still, after a disappointing start to the road trip, the Dodgers managed to go 3-3 and rebound after a series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals by taking two of three in Houston.
The Dodgers had the Braves' number last season, as did many other teams, going 5-1, including a three-game series sweep against Atlanta during last year’s Opening Week homestand.
But that was last year, and now we have a red-hot Braves team ready to do battle with the Dodgers yet again, which has been the theme in the National League since 2018.
Pitching Probables
Game One: Emmet Sheehan (2-1, 5.23 ERA) vs Chris Sale (LHP) (6-1, 2.14 ERA)
Game Two: Roki Sasaki (1-3, 5.97 ERA) vs Spencer Stider (0-0, 8.10 ERA)
Game Three: Justin Wrobleski (LHP) (5-0, 1.25 ERA) vs Bryce Elder (3-1, 2.02 ERA)
Game Times
Game One: 7:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, BravesVision
Game Two: 6:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, BravesVision
Game Three: 1:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, BravesVision
Who’s In & Who’s Out
The Dodgers enter this stretch with a crowded and evolving injury list, though several key contributors are beginning to trend toward returns. Tyler Glasnow provided a scare after exiting his May 6th start with lower back pain, but early indications suggest the team is optimistic he will avoid the injured list while undergoing further evaluation.
On the pitching front, Blake Snell is nearing a return from left shoulder fatigue and is expected to make a final rehab start on May 9th before potentially rejoining the rotation. Meanwhile, Brusdar Graterol has begun a rehab assignment as he works back from shoulder surgery, though he still has time before activation.
Position-player reinforcements are also on the way. Mookie Betts is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Comets tonight as he continues his recovery from a right oblique strain, with a return timeline potentially coming into focus soon after. Kiké Hernández has already begun his rehab stint at Triple-A Oklahoma City following elbow surgery, while Tommy Edman continues a slower ramp-up as he recovers from ankle surgery.
Deeper on the pitching side, Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller are both working back from shoulder inflammation and soreness, with Stone already throwing as part of a structured buildup program. Ben Casparius remains sidelined with shoulder inflammation, while Landon Knack is out long term after an intercostal strain that halted his throwing progression.
The bullpen has also been hit hard, with Edwin Díaz recovering from elbow surgery that required the removal of loose bodies and Jake Cousins working back from Tommy John surgery, both projecting as second-half reinforcements. Evan Phillips is also on the mend from Tommy John surgery and has begun throwing bullpen sessions as he eyes a late-season return.
Day-to-day (00):
10-day IL (2): Tommy Edman, Mookie Betts
15-day IL (6): Blake Snell, Landon Knack, Brusdar Graterol, Brock Stewart, Ben Casaprius, Edwin Díaz
60-day IL (5): Kiké Hernández, Evan Phillips, Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins
The Braves enter their series against the Dodgers dealing with a lengthy injury list that continues to shape their roster heading into the matchup. The biggest absence remains Ronald Acuña Jr., who is on the 10-day IL with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. Atlanta remains optimistic about a mid-May return, with May 13th still viewed as a possible activation date.
On the pitching side, Dylan Dodd is working his way back from left thoracic spine inflammation and is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett. Meanwhile, Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach are both recovering from elbow issues that could sideline them into mid-summer, leaving significant holes in the rotation depth.
Position player depth is also being tested, with Ha-Seong Kim working back from a torn tendon in his right middle finger after beginning a rehab assignment in late April. Reliever Joe Jiménez remains out following knee surgery with no clear timetable for return.
Long-term, the Braves are also without Danny Young and AJ Smith-Shawver, both recovering from Tommy John surgery, while Joey Wentz is expected to miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn ACL. With so many key contributors sidelined, Atlanta’s depth will be put to the test against a surging Dodgers lineup.
Day-to-day (00):
10-day IL (2): Ha-Seong Kim, Ronald Acuña Jr.
15-day IL (2): Hurston Waldrep, Dylan Dodd
60-day IL (5): Danny Young, AJ Smith-Shawver, Joe Jiménez, Spencer Schwellenbach, Joey Wentz