There may be some concern about the recent drop in scoring or the age of several players on the team. Some might even think it’s easier to spot a dinosaur at Dodger Stadium these days than to catch a glimpse of a Shohei Ohtani home run.
But no matter how the regular season unfolds, the Dodgers remain a formidable contender come October.
Just like they’ve been in years past.
After securing a 3-1 win against the Braves, it’s clear they’re still a team to watch this postseason.
While it’s easy to overlook regular season games—especially this early in a long 162-game tally—the victory over Atlanta signifies more than just another win.
It highlights precisely why they are back-to-back World Series champions.
When the pressure mounts and the stakes rise, the Dodgers have a unique edge that sets them apart from other teams.
“I’m not quite sure what’s going on with us,” noted shortstop Miguel Rojas. “Whenever a significant series comes up, we manage to hone in and play our best.”
This particular series felt incredibly important, perhaps more so than many others this season.
The Braves arrived in Los Angeles boasting the best record in baseball history, alongside teams like the Yankees and Cubs.
The starting pitchers for the series mirrored the postseason lineup, featuring current Cy Young winner Chris Sale, with Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder following suit.
The opening game mirrored the intensity often seen in Dodgers’ playoff appearances.
“Tonight really felt like an October game,” said manager Dave Roberts. “We’re expecting strong pitching and need to capitalize on any mistakes. We’ve got to limit runs and utilize our bullpen effectively. Tonight, we managed to do just that.”
To think the series results reflected that sentiment perfectly.
Given Sale’s impressive record and exceptional ERA, the Dodgers faced a tough challenge. Yet, when the moment arose, they seized it, making the most of the Braves’ errors.
In the second inning, Kyle Tucker made a significant play, hitting a slider that allowed Teoscar Hernandez to advance.
The game remained tied until the fifth inning, when an error by shortstop Jim Jarvis allowed Rojas to get into scoring position, ultimately crossing home on Ohtani’s single.
In the sixth, the lead grew to 3-1 as Freeman capitalized on one of Sale’s rare missteps, smashing a fastball over the left-center wall.
“All our scoring today came from left-handed hitters,” Rojas pointed out.
In typical postseason fashion, Roberts relied heavily on his bullpen. With two outs in the fifth and runners on the corners, he made a move that led to Matt Olson flying out.
“There’s still time before October,” Roberts mentioned. “But you could definitely feel the energy in how I managed the game tonight. Winning was the priority.”
His strategy paid off, with the bullpen covering more than four innings of play.
Freeman also acknowledged the importance of the relievers, who had played a crucial role in the prior game against Houston after starter Tyler Glasnow left due to back spasms; he was later placed on injured reserve.
“We face the best in the business,” Freeman added. “The Braves played outstanding baseball, and we managed to put together a high-quality game ourselves.”
This kind of performance bodes well for October.
The Dodgers know how to rise to the occasion, regardless of how they may have seemed less dominant in recent weeks.
