Dylan Dodd will begin NLDS Game 1 for Braves

The Atlanta Braves, who have won the 2026 NL East Division title and brushed aside the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card round, have selected Dylan Dodd to start the playoff game today. As you likely already know Chris Sale and Brent Suter will likely not pitch until Games 2 and 3 respectively, and Grant Holmes pitched nearly one time through the order on Thursday. The Braves have ten other options and have decided on Dylan Dodd.

Dylan Dodd has a 2.54/3.83/3.94 line in 49 and 2/3 innings this season. He hasn't started a game since 2023, when the Braves considered him a pitching prospect. His numbers in that stretch are horrifying (7.60/6.92/6.50 over 34 and 1/3 innings) but that's not nearly reflective of the work he has done since. His longest outing since his starting days was 3 and 2/3 innings in Houston on September 13th, 2025. The sinker and cutter have been quite good this season.

I don't hate this. Dylan Dodd won't get lost in the moment. Both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman are big lefties at the top of the lineup. The Braves seem to view the opener role as a reliever who can pitch up to 3 innings. So we may see Dylan for 13 batters today if all goes well. Please, go well.