The Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Truist Park with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM ET. This is a marquee regular season matchup between two of the National League's marquee franchises, with AJ Smith-Shawver taking the ball for Atlanta opposite Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki. The game will air on BravesVision and MLB Network, with radio coverage on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan for Braves fans. This one has the feel of a statement game — Truist Park will be loud, and the Braves need to deliver.
Probable Starters: AJ Smith-Shawver vs. Roki Sasaki
AJ Smith-Shawver gets the nod for the Braves, and this is a significant opportunity for the young right-hander. Smith-Shawver has shown tantalizing stuff and the kind of arm that gets Braves fans excited about the future — and potentially the present. Wednesday night is a chance to make a statement against one of baseball's best lineups.
On the other side, Roki Sasaki brings his electric arsenal from Japan's NPB to the Truist Park mound. Sasaki made an immediate impact after signing with the Dodgers and has been one of the more talked-about young arms in the game. His split-fingered fastball and high-90s heat make him a legitimate test for any lineup in baseball. The Braves' offense will have its work cut out.
Keys to Watch in Atlanta vs. Los Angeles
- Smith-Shawver's command: Against a lineup as disciplined and deep as the Dodgers, Smith-Shawver cannot afford to fall behind hitters. If he's locating his fastball and mixing his secondary pitches early in counts, Atlanta has a real shot. If he struggles with command, the Dodgers will grind at-bats and make him pay.
- Attacking Sasaki early: Sasaki tends to get stronger as he settles in. The Braves need to be aggressive in the first two innings and not let him find his rhythm without a fight. Look for Atlanta to test him with the first look before his splitter gets fully locked in.
- Bullpen depth: In a game this competitive, the back end of both bullpens could decide things. Atlanta's relief corps will need to be sharp if Smith-Shawver's night ends before the sixth inning.
- Truist Park crowd: Home field matters in August. A packed Truist Park crowd behind a strong early inning from Smith-Shawver can shift momentum quickly — the Braves play better when the energy is right on Sixes Road.
Prediction
This is the kind of game that gets circled on the schedule in August. Two young starters, a charged Truist Park atmosphere, and two organizations that genuinely believe they belong in October — it has the ingredients for a tight, low-scoring affair. Expect both pitchers to keep runs at a premium through the middle innings.
Give the edge to Atlanta at home. Smith-Shawver has the stuff to compete with anyone, and the Braves' offense, even against a pitcher of Sasaki's caliber, is capable of finding enough to win a close game. Braves 3, Dodgers 2.
