The Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Truist Park for a 7:15 PM ET first pitch, with Bryce Elder taking the ball against Tyler Glasnow in what shapes up as one of the most compelling regular-season matchups of the summer. The Dodgers are rolling into Cumberland with a loaded lineup — Shohei Ohtani leading off, Freddie Freeman batting second in his return to Atlanta, and Mookie Betts hitting third. This is a big-league test for Elder, and the Braves' offense will need to make life difficult on Glasnow if they want to come away with a win in front of the home crowd.

Starting Pitchers: Bryce Elder vs. Tyler Glasnow

Bryce Elder gets the nod for Atlanta. The right-hander has developed into a reliable arm in the Braves' rotation, relying on his ability to generate weak contact and work efficiently through lineups. The challenge Tuesday is significant — the Dodgers' lineup is deep from top to bottom, and Elder will need to limit damage early to keep Atlanta in the game.

Tyler Glasnow is a legitimately difficult assignment for any offense. The big right-hander has the kind of fastball-curveball combination that can dominate lineups when he's on. The Braves will need to work counts, get into the middle of the Dodgers' bullpen, and capitalize on any mistake Glasnow makes in the strike zone.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup to Watch

The Dodgers' lineup is as formidable as any in baseball. Shohei Ohtani leads things off at DH, followed by Freddie Freeman — a name that will always carry extra weight at Truist Park — at first base. Mookie Betts slots in third, with Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and Kyle Tucker rounding out a middle of the order that can punish any mistake. Elder simply cannot afford to leave pitches over the heart of the plate against this group.

Atlanta Braves Lineup Keys

The Braves are running out an interesting construction Tuesday. Drake Baldwin leads off at DH, with Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting second in right field. Matt Olson bats third, with Mauricio Dubón — an unconventional choice — batting cleanup at shortstop. Michael Harris II hits fifth in center, and Ozzie Albies slots in sixth. Austin Riley drops to eighth in the order behind Mike Yastrzemski, with Sean Murphy closing out the lineup at nine.

• Acuña Jr. needs to set the table early and punish Glasnow's secondary stuff if the big righty loses the zone.
• Matt Olson has the power to change a game in a single swing — his matchup against Glasnow's fastball is one to watch closely.
• Riley and Murphy batting seventh through ninth gives Atlanta a legitimate threat late in the order if the Braves can string innings together.
• Elder's ability to navigate the Ohtani-Freeman-Betts portion of the Dodgers' order will determine how many pitches he has available later in the game.

Prediction

This is a tough ask for Atlanta. Glasnow is a difficult pitcher to square up, and the Dodgers lineup presents problems at every turn. That said, the Braves are at home at Truist Park, and Elder has shown he can compete against quality opposition. Expect a tight, low-scoring game. If Acuña and Olson can do damage early and Elder keeps Ohtani and Freeman in check, Atlanta has a path to a victory. But the edge tonight belongs to Los Angeles. Braves fall in a close one, 3-2.