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Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction & Picks: Game 1 NLDS Odds for Saturday, Oct. 3

My Braves vs. Dodgers prediction breaks down the best bets, player props, and home run pick I’m betting Saturday.
Corey Scott
Corey Scott

Last Updated: October 2, 2026 6:31 PM EDT β€’ 3 minute read

Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) runs as we break down our Braves vs. Dodgers prediction.
Pictured: Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) runs as we break down our Braves vs. Dodgers prediction. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images.
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The Braves went 5-1 against the Dodgers in the regular season, but my Braves vs. Dodgers prediction expects the two-time defending champions to win Game 1 of their National League Division Series by margin.

My MLB picks back the Dodgers as a -204 betting favorite, with Tarik Skubal on the mound for L.A. First pitch from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is set for 4 p.m. ET (FOX, Fubo).

⚾ Braves vs. Dodgers picks & odds: NLDS Game 1

See all of our experts’ MLB picks based on the latest MLB odds.

Pick Best Odds Units
Dodgers -1.5 +104 via BetRivers 1.92 units to win 2 units
Matt Olson Over 0.5 hits -167 via BetRivers 1.67 units to win 1 unit
Will Smith Over 0.5 home runs +410 via FanDuel 0.24 units to win 1 unit

Total wagered: 3.83 units | Max profit: +4 units

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πŸ’° Braves vs. Dodgers prediction & best bet

Dodgers -1.5 (+104 via BetRivers)

The Dodgers are well rested and starting one of the best pitchers in MLB. They haven't played since they wrapped up their regular season Sunday, and they're an MLB-best 15-4 on four-plus days of rest since 2021.

The Braves, meanwhile, are just 3-4 at a rest disadvantage this season and will have to face Skubal, who has recorded the win in each of his last four starts. Each of the last three was by multiple runs. Dodgers -1.5 (+104 via BetRivers) is the best line available among the top sports betting sites.

Score prediction: Dodgers 5, Braves 3

📡 SBR Edge: Playoff Dodgers

The Dodgers won each of their first three playoff games last season by multiple runs.

πŸ”₯ Best Braves vs. Dodgers player prop bet

Matt Olson Over 0.5 hits (-167 via BetRivers)

While I expect Skubal to dominate the Braves, Matt Olson is a rare exception in this spot.

The Braves first baseman is 3-for-10 with a double in his career against Skubal, so we already know he's capable of hitting against the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner.

I'm expecting Olson to bat third in the lineup, so we'll also likely get more at-bats than we would if we targeted Ozzie Albies, who has also had success against Skubal. Olson Over 0.5 hits (-167 via BetRivers) is the best line available among the top sports betting apps.

πŸ’£ Braves vs. Dodgers home run prediction

Will Smith Over 0.5 home runs (+410 via FanDuel)

This price will move slightly depending on who the Braves announce as their starter - it's still undecided as of the time of publication - but they don't really have any great options after Chris Sale pitched in relief Thursday.

It's hard not to take Will Smith to homer in L.A. at such inflated odds. Right-handed power hitters have a slight edge at Dodger Stadium, and Smith is slugging .523 at home, with all of his 10 home runs coming at Chavez Ravine.

Smith Over 0.5 home runs (+410 via FanDuel) is the best line available among the top MLB betting sites.

⚾️ More MLB expert picks

Looking for more? Dive into Mike Spector's Yankees vs. Rays prediction or his Padres vs. Brewers prediction.

πŸ“Š Live Braves vs. Dodgers odds: NLDS Game 1

The Dodgers opened as a -175 betting favorite Thursday night at BetMGM. They have since moved to -225 there, so it's safe to say a lot of money has come in on the Dodgers. Has the line moved too far? Pinnacle is taking $10,000 a side on this game right now, so there likely won't be any more movement until the Braves announce their starter and limits go up.

πŸ’΅ My betting record for MLB playoff picks

MLB playoff picks have been tracked since Sept. 29.

Bet type Record Net profit ROI
Overall 5-8-1 +1.86 units βœ… 12.1% βœ…
Player props 2-7-1 -2.63 units βŒ -29.4% βŒ
Moneylines 2-1 +2.48 units βœ… 51.6% βœ…
Run lines 1-0 +2 units βœ… 122% βœ…

πŸš‘ Braves vs. Dodgers injuries

πŸ“Ί How to watch Braves vs. Dodgers: NLDS Game 1

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
  • First pitch: 4 p.m. ET
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: Fubo
  • Braves starter: Undecided
  • Dodgers starter: Tarik Skubal (Regular season: 12-7, 2.72 ERA)
Written by:
Corey Scott
Corey is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review and holds a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting from the College of Sports Media in Toronto. He is one of the NBA player-prop specialists at SBR and focuses on the impact of injuries to identify where the market has been slow to adjust. Corey also frequently bets sides in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and CFL, typically using a top-down approach to beat the closing line. His work has appeared across the USA Today Network, Gambling.com Group, and Athlon Sports. With more than a decade of sports betting experience, Corey is familiar with all types of operators, from regulated sportsbooks to less conventional platforms, though he primarily uses Pinnacle and FanDuel. While he rarely bets parlays anymore - unless they are clearly mispriced - his biggest win came from a seven-team parlay at +13675 odds. Corey visits Las Vegas multiple times a year. His favorite resort is the Wynn/Encore, though he can be found at any sportsbook offering an off-market number.

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