Source: Bleacher Report
Summary
The Dodgers and Braves have met in the playoffs six times over the last 30 years, with four of the five completed series occurring since the 2010s. The 1996 NLDS saw the Braves sweep the Dodgers in three games, with John Smoltz and Javy López leading the way. In 2013, the Dodgers won the NLDS in five games, with Kershaw and Ramírez performing well. The 2018 NLDS was a quick 3-0 Dodgers sweep, with Kershaw and Muncy contributing. The 2020 NLCS was a seven-game thriller, with the Dodgers coming back to win. The 2021 NLCS saw the Braves win in six games, with Rosario and Riley leading the charge. The two teams will meet again in the 2026 NLDS.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
The Braves and Dodgers have met in the playoffs six times, with the Dodgers winning four of the five completed series.
1996, 2013, 2018, 2020, 2021 — the script never changes.
Smoltz, Kershaw, Muncy, Freeman, Rosario, Riley — the names change, the outcomes don’t.
The 2026 NLDS will follow the same pattern.
The Braves are still chasing their first playoff win against the Dodgers since 2021.
Author: Evan Null
Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves Playoff History
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have a long history of facing each other in the playoffs, with their rivalry spanning over three decades. The two teams have met in the postseason six times, with the Dodgers winning four of the five completed series. The first playoff matchup between the two teams was in 1996, when the Braves swept the Dodgers in three games. The 1996 NLDS was a dominant performance by the Braves, with John Smoltz and Javy López leading the way. The Braves went on to win the NL pennant but lost the World Series to the Yankees.
The 2013 NLDS was a five-game series that saw the Dodgers win in convincing fashion. The Braves struggled offensively, and the Dodgers’ pitching, led by Clayton Kershaw, was dominant. The 2018 NLDS was a quick 3-0 sweep by the Dodgers, with Kershaw and Muncy playing key roles. The 2020 NLCS was a seven-game thriller that saw the Dodgers come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series. The 2021 NLCS was a six-game series that saw the Braves win their first playoff series against the Dodgers since 2013.
The 2026 NLDS will be the sixth playoff matchup between the two teams. The Dodgers will have home-field advantage, and the series will start on Saturday. The Braves have not won a playoff series against the Dodgers since 2021, and the pressure will be on them to break the cycle. The 2026 NLDS will be a rematch of the 2021 NLCS, which the Braves won in six games. The series will be a test of the Braves’ ability to overcome the Dodgers and end their playoff drought against them.
The history between the two teams is filled with memorable moments and key players. From Smoltz and Kershaw to Muncy and Freeman, the players have played pivotal roles in the series. The 2026 NLDS will be another chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the two teams. The Braves will look to continue their success against the Dodgers, while the Dodgers will aim to maintain their dominance in the postseason.
The 2026 NLDS will be a significant event for both teams. The Braves will be looking to build on their 2021 success, while the Dodgers will aim to continue their playoff dominance. The series will be a test of both teams’ abilities to perform under pressure. The outcome of the 2026 NLDS will be a deciding factor in the legacy of both teams in the postseason. The rivalry between the two teams is one of the most storied in baseball, and the 2026 NLDS will be another memorable chapter in that history.
