Sports

Inside Braves vs Dodgers Game 4: What You Need to Know

The Atlanta Braves face another win-or-go-home battle at Truist Park as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to close out the NLDS. Here is the analytical breakdown of this high-stakes matchup.

WhyThisBuzz DeskOct 7, 20263 min read
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The Atlanta Braves are back on the brink of elimination at Truist Park. After alternating wins through the first three games of the National League Division Series (NLDS), the Los Angeles Dodgers are positioned to punch their ticket to a third consecutive NL Championship Series. Meanwhile, the Braves are fighting to keep their season alive and force a decisive Game 5 back in Los Angeles.

Here is everything you need to know about the Game 4 showdown.

The Pitching Matchup: Mahle vs. Glasnow

Both teams are sending right-handers to the mound with distinct regular-season storylines.

  • Braves: Tyler Mahle
    • Key Stat: 1.99 ERA over his final nine regular-season starts.
    • The Outlook: Acquired from the Giants at the Trade Deadline with a 5.13 ERA, Mahle completely transformed in Atlanta. He posted a 1.28 ERA in his first eight starts with the Braves, driven by a strategic shift to decrease his cutter usage and rely more heavily on his splitter. He carried that momentum into the postseason, limiting the Phillies to just one run over seven innings in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series.
  • Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow
    • Key Stat: 11.92 K/9 (ranked fourth among MLB starters with at least 70 IP).
    • The Outlook: Though a back injury limited him to just 13 regular-season starts, Glasnow finished strong with back-to-back double-digit strikeout performances. While he played a hybrid role in last year’s postseason, the Dodgers plan to use him as a traditional starter in Game 4.

Critical Lineup Adjustments and Injuries

Injuries are forcing both managers to shake up their lineups for this critical matchup.

For the Braves, superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. is battling right knee soreness. However, manager Walt Weiss has cleared him to play right field. Starting Acuña in the outfield allows Atlanta to use Drake Baldwin as the designated hitter and keep the struggling Ha-Seong Kim on the bench. Additionally, Michael Harris II—who is currently carrying the Braves offense with a .375 postseason average—moves up to the leadoff spot.

The Dodgers are reverting to a more traditional lineup against a right-handed starter, but with a major twist. Shohei Ohtani, who is managing right biceps and left knee lingering issues, is batting fourth rather than leading off due to recent struggles at the plate. Furthermore, shortstop Miguel Rojas is out of the starting lineup due to lower back pain, pushing Mookie Betts to shortstop and the leadoff spot.

Bullpen Availability

The relief pitching situation favors a deep battle:

  • Atlanta: The Braves have their entire bullpen available. This includes high-leverage arms Dylan Lee, Robert Suarez, and closer Raisel Iglesias.
  • Los Angeles: Thanks to Yoshinobu Yamamoto covering seven innings in Game 3, manager Dave Roberts only had to use leverage relievers Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz to close out the previous game. The entire Dodgers bullpen is fresh and available to secure the series.

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