The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from advancing in the 2026 MLB Playoffs as they face the Atlanta Braves today in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
Los Angeles enters the matchup with a 2-1 series lead after defeating Atlanta 3-1 in Game 3. That makes today’s contest a potential series-clinching game for the Dodgers and an elimination game for the Braves.
Here is what happens if the Dodgers win, lose, or the game is tied after nine innings.
What Happens If the Dodgers Win Today?
If the Dodgers beat the Braves, Los Angeles will win the NLDS 3-1 and advance to the 2026 National League Championship Series (NLCS).
The result would immediately eliminate Atlanta from the MLB postseason.
For Los Angeles, the scenario is simple:
Dodgers win = Dodgers advance to the NLCS.
There would be no Game 5, and Los Angeles could begin preparing for its next postseason opponent.
What Happens If the Dodgers Lose Today?
If the Braves beat the Dodgers, Atlanta will tie the NLDS at 2-2.
That would force a decisive Game 5 on Friday, October 9, at Dodger Stadium.
Game 5 would become a winner-take-all matchup:
Winner advances to the NLCS. Loser is eliminated.
A Braves victory today would therefore completely reset the series and put Los Angeles in a must-win situation at home.
What Happens If Dodgers vs Braves Is Tied?
An MLB postseason game cannot officially end in a tie.
If the Dodgers and Braves are tied after nine innings, the game will continue into extra innings until one team wins.
Unlike regular-season extra-inning games, MLB postseason games do not use the automatic runner at second base to begin each extra inning.
Therefore, there is no scenario where the NLDS standings remain unchanged because of a tie.
Dodgers vs Braves NLDS Series Situation
The series currently stands:
Dodgers lead Braves, 2-1
The scenarios entering today’s game are straightforward:
Dodgers win: Los Angeles wins the series 3-1 and advances to the NLCS.
Braves win: Atlanta ties the series 2-2 and forces Game 5.
Tie after nine innings: The game continues into extra innings until there is a winner.
Is Today an Elimination Game for the Braves?
Yes. The Braves are facing elimination because they trail the best-of-five series 2-1.
Atlanta must win today to keep its season alive.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have two opportunities to close out the series. They can advance with a victory today, while a loss would send the matchup back to Los Angeles for Game 5.
When Is Dodgers vs Braves Game 4?
The Dodgers and Braves meet Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Game 4 of their National League Division Series.
With Los Angeles holding a 2-1 advantage, the stakes could hardly be higher: the Dodgers can clinch an NLCS berth with one more victory, while the Braves need a win to force a decisive Game 5.
Bottom Line
The equation for the Dodgers today is simple.
Win, and Los Angeles advances to the 2026 NLCS. Lose, and the Braves force a winner-take-all Game 5.
There is no possibility of the game officially ending in a tie, meaning one team will leave Game 4 either celebrating an NLCS berth or preparing for one final showdown.