Over the past three decades, the Los Angeles and Atlanta Braves share several notable connections. Among them is first baseman Freddie Freeman, a star who has played for and won the World Series with both teams. Additionally, these franchises have often been strong simultaneously, frequently clashing in the postseason.
Looking ahead, the Braves and are set to meet again in the 2026 National League Division Series, beginning with Game 1 on Saturday. Los Angeles will enjoy home-field advantage. This will mark their sixth playoff meeting, with four of the previous five occurring since the 2010s.
Here’s a summary of their past five postseason encounters:
In 1996, fresh off their 1995 World Series victory, the Braves were a dominant force, and the were merely an obstacle. Although the limited Atlanta to 10 runs in the NLDS, the Braves held them to just half that, sweeping the series in three games. John Smoltz pitched a standout game in Game 1, allowing only one run over nine innings before Javy López’s 10th-inning homer secured a 2-1 victory. Greg Maddux followed with seven strong innings and two critical home runs from Fred McGriff and Jermaine Dye helped the Braves take Game 2. Closing out the series at home, Tom Glavine allowed just one run over 6⅓ innings as Atlanta won 5-2, propelled by key hits from McGriff, Mark Lemke, and emerging star Chipper Jones. The Braves advanced to their second straight National League pennant but ultimately lost the World Series to the Yankees after squandering a 2-0 lead.
In 2013, the Braves won their first NL East title in eight years, but the quickly dampened the mood at Turner Field. Los Angeles produced a commanding 6-1 Game 1 triumph behind a two-run homer from Adrián González and Clayton Kershaw’s 12 strikeouts. The Braves responded with a 4-3 win in Game 2, featuring strong pitching from Mike Minor and a clutch two-run single by Jason Heyward. Game 3 saw the erupt for 13 runs to win 13-6, highlighted by homers from Carl Crawford and Juan Uribe. Although Atlanta led late in Game 4, Uribe’s go-ahead two-run homer and saves from Kenley Jansen sealed a 5-3 series win.
The 2018 NLDS mirrored similar patterns. The Braves, seen as a promising young team anchored by Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies, struggled early, being shut out in the first two games by pitching. Hyun Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw dominated Atlanta’s offense, while power hitters Max Muncy, Manny Machado, and Yasmani Grandal provided key runs for Los Angeles. The Braves sparked life into Game 3 with Acuña’s grand slam, narrowly edging a rally thanks to Freeman’s heroics. However, the clinched the series in Game 4 with Machado’s three-run homer and strong bullpen support, advancing to win the NL pennant again but falling in the World Series.
The 2020 NLCS, played at neutral Globe Life Field due to the COVID-19-shortened season, was heart-wrenching for Braves fans. Atlanta took a 2-0 series lead with exciting home runs from Albies, Austin Riley, and Freeman, but the responded with an explosive 15-3 Game 3 road win powered by grand slams and multi-hit performances. Despite a Game 4 blowout loss, the stormed back with critical homers from Corey Seager, Will Smith, Mookie Betts, and others to survive elimination, ultimately winning Game 7 in a tightly contested finale. Los Angeles went on to claim its first World Series title since 1988.
In a rematch during the 2021 NLCS, the Braves sought redemption. They won nail-biters in Games 1 and 2, highlighted by Austin Riley’s clutch hitting and timely home runs from Joc Pederson, who had switched allegiances to Atlanta. The fought back with a thrilling Game 3 win but saw their hopes dashed with losses in Games 4 and 6. Eddie Rosario and Freeman led the Braves’ offense, as the team advanced to win the World Series against the Houston Astros, their first championship since 1995, despite missing their star Acuña late in the season due to injury.
The sixth chapter of this heated playoff rivalry begins Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX.
Fan Take: This storied rivalry between the and Braves embodies the passion, drama, and history that make postseason baseball so enthralling. Each matchup has produced unforgettable moments and shaped the trajectories of both franchises, promising yet another thrilling series that baseball fans won’t want to miss.
Source: www.foxsports.com
