Dodgers Take Commanding 3-1 NLDS Lead Behind Glasnow’s Gritty Outing in Atlanta

ATLANTA — The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from returning to the National League Championship Series after a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night at Truist Park. The win gave Los Angeles a commanding 3-1 series lead, powered by a resilient start from right-hander Tyler Glasnow and a bullpen that extinguished every Braves threat.

Glasnow’s line was far from clean. He walked five batters and threw only 42 of his 78 pitches for strikes, lasting just 4 2/3 innings. But when Atlanta had runners on base, he found a way to escape. The Braves managed only one run and one hit off Glasnow — a soft ground-ball single — leaving eight runners on base as a team.

“When guys get on for me, especially this year, it’s been kind of rough,” Glasnow said. “I’ve been just trying to mix up my holds, be a little quicker to the plate and just kind of with how I felt tonight, it helped me navigate whatever you want to solve. So it was fun.”

Key facts
| Category | Detail |
|———-|——–|
| Series status | Dodgers lead Braves 3-1 in NLDS |
| Glasnow’s Game 4 line | 4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 5 K, 78 pitches |
| Postseason record with LAD | Dodgers are 7-0 in Glasnow’s postseason appearances |
| Next game | Game 5 (if necessary) at Dodger Stadium, date TBD |

Glasnow’s ability to limit damage in high-leverage spots has become a defining trait of his postseason career with Los Angeles. Across seven playoff appearances (four starts, three in relief), he owns a 1.73 ERA. The Dodgers have won all seven of those games. That run includes his historic three-pitch save in Game 6 of the 2025 World Series — the first pitcher since pitch-count tracking began in 1988 to record a save while pitching at least one inning on three or fewer pitches — followed by 2 1/3 scoreless relief innings in Game 7 against the Blue Jays.

The outing also marked another step in Glasnow’s return from a 111-day stint on the injured list due to lower back spasms. He missed nearly four months between early May and late August before returning on August 25, when he faced these same Braves and allowed three earned runs over five innings.

“It is a little frustrating in the regular season to get hurt,” Glasnow said. “But I think it’s nice to be able to look into the future and be able to help the team out and play.”

Bullpen closes the door

When Glasnow exited with two runners on in the fifth inning, manager Dave Roberts turned to left-hander Alex Vesia to face Matt Olson. Vesia induced a groundout to strand both baserunners, preserving the Dodgers’ 3-1 lead at the time.

“Once the starter comes out, we’re chopping it up,” Vesia said. “I got hot multiple times, ready to go for whatever. Dave’s got a lot of weapons.”

The bullpen combination of Vesia, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips and others held Atlanta scoreless over the final 4 1/3 innings. Across the four-game series, Los Angeles pitchers limited the Braves to eight total runs, a performance that first baseman Freddie Freeman credited as the difference in the series.

“It takes every single guy on this roster to win in these series,” Freeman said. “Our pitching staff won us a series again. Our pitching was incredible.”

Postseason experience as a weapon

Multiple Dodgers players pointed to the team’s deep October experience as a factor in their ability to perform under pressure. Glasnow noted that the heightened stakes bring out sharper focus across the entire pitching staff.

“I think we’ve all known that we are capable,” Glasnow said. “I think just everyone is good in crunch time. I think it’s just another little elevated adrenaline, and I think we’ve all had so much experience in the postseason that we’re able to lock in, and it makes our stuff better. And there’s no quitting.”

For Dodgers fans, the immediate takeaway is clear: Los Angeles needs one more win to advance. Game 5, if necessary, would be played at Dodger Stadium, though the team could close out the series on the road if they win Game 4’s follow-up. Roberts will have a fully rested bullpen available for any decisive game, and Glasnow’s ability to eat innings — even on an off night — gives the rotation flexibility heading into a potential NLCS matchup.

Source: MLB Official News RSS – https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-glasnow-faces-braves-in-nlds-game-4-2026

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