The Dodgers got the kind of road win that can make a series feel under control. But if they’re looking all the way ahead to another World Series run, the same issue is still sitting there in plain view: this offense is living too much on the home run, and not enough on sustained damage.
Game 3 was a good example. Against Chris Sale, the Dodgers did enough to win and more than enough to make life uncomfortable for Atlanta’s ace.
They scored three runs in five innings, which is a strong outcome against a pitcher of that caliber after being shut out the last time they saw him. But that total still undersells how much trouble they put Sale in.
He was on the ropes for most of the game before Kiké Hernández broke things open with a two-run homer in the fourth.
The important part was getting Sale out after just 15 outs. That was a major objective, and the Dodgers checked that box.
What they didn’t do was add on. Against four Braves relievers, not counting Didier Fuentes, who wasn’t used after his strong Game 2, Los Angeles didn’t score again.
That left the game hanging on Yamamoto and then Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz, a pair the Dodgers clearly do not treat as automatic.
That’s been the story of this NLDS on both sides: pitching has ruled. The two offenses have combined for just one hit with a runner in scoring position.
But for the Dodgers, the bigger issue is that they haven’t shown they can stack quality at-bats into a rally. They’ve nicked Atlanta’s best arms, including Sale and Fuentes, but they haven’t built the kind of inning that turns pressure into separation.
And that matters because the Dodgers’ own path has depended heavily on dominant starts. Tarik Skubal and Yamamoto were overwhelming, and that was a huge reason they won those two games.
The next question is less comfortable: can they still win if Tyler Glasnow gives them anything short of his best? That’s where the margin gets thin.
The bullpen should be useful, but it’s not bulletproof, and Game 2 showed how quickly things can unravel when the support system gets tested.
There was also a little bad luck in Game 3 that kept the offense from looking better than it did. Teoscar Hernández smoked three balls and came away empty.
Freddie Freeman came close to another homer. Mookie Betts kept reaching base at a strong clip from the top of the order, even if it didn’t turn into runs.
So the Dodgers are in a good spot in this series. That part is real.
But if they want the larger prize, they’ll need more than elite pitching and solo bursts of power. The warning signs are still there, and the offense will have to answer them eventually.
In Other News...
Dodgers Face A Sudden Game 3 Booth Absence Fans Will Notice
Joe Davis will be missing from the FOX Sports booth for Game 3 of the NLDS after losing his voice, a noticeable shift for Dodgers fans used to hearing him on the call. Kenny Albert will handle play-by-play for the game, stepping into a spot that has belonged to Davis for years as the voice of Dodgers broadcasts since 2016 and FOXs lead postseason announcer since 2022.
The absence is being treated as day-to-day, so it is not expected to be a long-term issue, but it still leaves a brief interruption in a postseason routine that has become familiar on both the local and national stages. For a Dodgers team deep into October, even a broadcast change stands out, especially when it comes during a series where every detail feels amplified. [Read more 🡒]
Braves May Have Exposed A Costly Dodgers NLDS Problem
Miguel Rojas became another late-game concern for the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS, leaving with low back pain after fouling a pitch in the eighth inning. The club confirmed the injury on its official social media, and the issue came after Rojas had already hurt his back earlier in the game while fielding a ground ball in the fifth inning.
For a Dodgers team trying to keep its October run on track, the timing could hardly be worse. Rojas has been part of the infield stability theyve leaned on, and if the back issue keeps him out any longer, Los Angeles may have to make a postseason roster move before the series moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Juan Soto Just Raised The Stakes For Dodgers Rookie Josue De Paula
Josue De Paula has moved from promising September call-up to a genuine postseason name to know for the Dodgers, earning a spot on the NLDS roster after impressing in 11 games. The top prospect has already shown why the organization is so high on him, bringing offensive upside and the kind of work ethic that tends to travel well once the games tighten in October.
Juan Sotos public praise only adds to the intrigue around De Paula, especially for a Dodgers club always balancing upside with reliability this time of year. The bat has given De Paula a real chance to matter, but his defense in the outfield remains the part of his game under the brightest scrutiny now that every inning carries extra weight. [Read more 🡒]