The Atlanta Braves face the Los Angeles Dodgers today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) at Dodger Stadium, but Atlanta enters the postseason opener without a traditional starting pitcher officially announced.
The Braves are expected to approach NLDS Game 1 against the Dodgers as a bullpen game, with left-hander Brent Suter among the leading options to open the game for Atlanta.
Who Is Starting for the Braves Today?
As of Saturday morning, the Braves have not officially announced a conventional starting pitcher for Game 1.
Atlanta is expected to rely heavily on its bullpen, potentially beginning with veteran left-hander Brent Suter as an opener before turning the game over to multiple relievers.
That makes bullpen management one of the biggest storylines to watch in the opening game of the Braves-Dodgers NLDS matchup.
Braves vs. Dodgers Game 1 Probable Pitchers
Atlanta Braves: TBD — expected bullpen game, with Brent Suter a potential opener
Los Angeles Dodgers: Tarik Skubal
The Dodgers have a significant amount of certainty on the mound with Tarik Skubal scheduled to start Game 1. Skubal enters the matchup after going 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA and 186 strikeouts during the regular season.
Atlanta, meanwhile, will attempt to counter Los Angeles by mixing and matching pitchers throughout the afternoon.
Could Chris Sale Pitch in the NLDS?
Chris Sale remains an important part of Atlanta’s NLDS pitching plans, but the Braves could hold the veteran left-hander for Game 2 rather than using him to start Saturday’s series opener.
That strategy would allow Atlanta to navigate Game 1 with its bullpen while having Sale available for a traditional start later in the series.
Tyler Mahle could also factor into Atlanta’s rotation, potentially beginning with Game 3.
Braves vs. Dodgers NLDS Game 1: Date, Time and TV Channel
Matchup: Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers
Round: 2026 National League Division Series — Game 1
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Start time: 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
TV: FOX
What to Watch in Braves vs. Dodgers Game 1
Atlanta’s pitching strategy could become one of the defining factors in Game 1.
Using a bullpen game gives the Braves flexibility to create favorable matchups against the Dodgers’ lineup, but it also puts additional pressure on Atlanta’s relief corps. The Braves will need several pitchers to successfully navigate one of baseball’s deepest offenses.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, can lean on Skubal to potentially provide length and reduce the workload on its bullpen.
For Atlanta, surviving Game 1 without exhausting its relief pitching could be particularly important with the rest of the NLDS still ahead.
Braves-Dodgers NLDS Game 1 Pitching Matchup
For now, the biggest question surrounding Atlanta is not whether one pitcher can match Skubal inning-for-inning, but whether the Braves’ bullpen can collectively deliver enough quality innings to give Atlanta a chance to take Game 1 at Dodger Stadium.
The Braves’ final pitching plan could become clearer closer to first pitch.