Game 3 provides us with an elite pitching matchup between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chris Sale, and my Dodgers vs. Braves prediction is that the L.A. starter will prevail at Truist Park in Atlanta Ga. this evening.
Find out why in my MLB picks for Tuesday, Oct. 6, with first pitch at 6 p.m. ET on FS1.
TOP PICK
Dodgers vs Braves prediction: Dodgers moneyline
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With two elite pitchers placing a premium on runs in Game 3 of the NLDS, I’m siding with the better offense: the Los Angeles Dodgers.
L.A. finished fifth in wOBA and fourth in ISO against lefties in the regular season, and second in overall xwOBA in the second half. For comparison, the Atlanta Braves were 11th and eighth in the advanced metrics against righties and 18th in xwOBA after the break.
Of course, the Dodgers have also won nine of starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 10 postseason appearances, and the righty has held the Braves to a .232 wOBA and .140 ISO across three career starts, so I recommend the Dodgers up to 55%.
COVERS INTEL: Yamamoto limited opposing hitters to a pedestrian .215 wOBA and .084 ISO across six 2025 postseason appearances.
Dodgers vs Braves combo
Braves lefty Chris Sale will be the key to this combo because I expect him to pitch well given his high-end 2.80 xERA and 3.13 xFIP at home, but failing to pile up strikeouts against a disciplined Los Angeles lineup. Shawn Krest breaks down why Sale will struggle to maximize his punchouts in tonight's Dodgers vs. Braves props.
The Dodgers struck out at the fourth-lowest clip against lefties during the regular season.
This is also a pivotal game, so Sale’s a candidate to hand the ball over earlier tonight considering he’s already thrown 7 2/3 innings across two appearances this postseason.
Dodgers vs Braves combo
- Dodgers moneyline
- Under 6.5
- Chris Sale Under 7.5 strikeouts
Dodgers vs Braves home run prediction: Teoscar Hernandez
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez sports a solid .241 ISO over the past three years against lefties, and he’s posted a .236 xISO across 29 plate appearances against Sale.
The moment won’t be too big for him, either. He’s hit 11 homers across 172 postseason plate appearances with an impressive 45.5% hard-hit rate and 18.9% blast-contact rate.
Dodgers vs Braves player prop: Chris Sale Under 7.5 strikeouts
The Atlanta bullpen has multiple high-leverage arms available to follow Sale to the mound in Game 3, and I’m anticipating the Los Angeles lineup driving the lefty’s pitch count up early.
Consistency hasn’t exactly been Sale’s postseason calling card, either, and he’s allowed a healthy 39.0% hard-hit rate and 16.1% blast-contact rate across 41 2/3 frames.
- Top picks: 131-111, +48.98 units
- Combos: 12-34, +4.52 units
Dodgers vs Braves weather
The forecast calls for clear, sunny skies and a comfortable game-time temperature of 76 degrees. A gentle 8-mph breeze will blow inward as temperatures cool into the 60s at Truist Park tonight.
Dodgers vs Braves odds
- Moneyline: Dodgers 50% | Braves 51%
- Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (36%) | Braves +1.5 (65%)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (48%) | Under 6.5 (53%)
Dodgers vs Braves trend
The Dodgers have won in nine of the 10 postseason games Yamamoto has pitched. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Braves.
How to watch Dodgers vs Braves and game info
| Location | Truist Park, Atlanta, Ga. |
| Date | Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026 |
| First pitch | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Yoshinobu Yamamoto (0-0, 0.00 ERA) |
| Braves starting pitcher | Chris Sale (0-0, 3.52 ERA) |
Dodgers vs Braves latest injuries
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