Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
After a 5 p.m. start in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves were scheduled to play consecutive afternoon affairs at Globe Life Field.
The second of which comes Wednesday in Game 3, and MLB has now announced the remaining start times for the NLCS. With the exception of a potential Game 6 — which the Dodgers would need if they hope to advance — NLCS Games 4, 5 and 7 won’t start before 4 p.m. PT.
That they and the Braves were scheduled to have a first pitch of 3:05 p.m. for Tuesday and Wednesday, caught Dodgers manager Dave Roberts by surprise.
“That’s kind of above all of us. When they say play baseball, we’ll be ready,” he said. “The timing when we found out and we’re used to playing at night — later. But it really doesn’t matter.”
For Games 5 and 6, the start times hinge on whether or not the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays play beyond a sweep scenario. The Rays enter play Wednesday with a 3-0 lead in the American League Championship Series.
If Tampa Bay and Houston go to a Game 6 on Friday, the Dodgers and Braves will start at 6:08 p.m. If the Rays and Astros have Game 7 on Saturday, L.A. and Atlanta will have a 1:38 p.m. first pich.
More pressing than start times, the Dodgers face some uncertainty with their pitching. Clayton Kershaw was scratched from Game 2 due to back spasms, and it’s unclear when he will start. The Dodgers are hopeful it will come Thursday but are waiting to evaluate his continued progress.
Of course, who is pitching for L.A. doesn’t come with much significance as it’s their lineup that has greatly struggled. The Dodgers did produce a rally in the ninth inning of Game 2, which Roberts and Corey Seager believe can serve as momentum-building moving forward.
Braves vs. Dodgers NLCS schedule and start times
Game 1: Braves 5, Dodgers 1
Game 2: Braves 8, Dodgers 7
Game 3: Wednesday, 3:05 p.m. PT, FS1
Game 4: Thursday, 5:08 p.m., Fox and FS1
Game 5*: Friday, 5:08 p.m. (if one LCS game) or 6:08 p.m., FS1
Game 6*: Saturday, 1:38 p.m. or 4:08 p.m. (if one LCS game), FS1
Game 7*: Sunday, 4:15 p.m., Fox and FS1
*if necessary
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