The two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers emerge into the 2026 MLB Playoffs, with sights set on a three-peat, when they host the Atlanta Braves in a best-of-five National League Divisional Series starting Saturday, October 3 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. The NLDS airs on FOX and FS1, and streams free with DIRECTV.
Using a free trial from DIRECTV is a safe and legal method to watch MLB Playoffs games for free, and our top pick for baseball fans looking for a streaming alternative to Streameast.
Braves vs. Dodgers series overview
The Braves arrive in the NLDS after navigating a seemingly endless list of pitching injuries and still finding a way to outlast the Phillies in a tense Wild Card Series. Now comes an even bigger challenge against the powerhouse Dodgers. Here’s a look at the series schedule
Game 1: ATL @ LAD, Saturday, October 3, 4 p.m. ET on FOX
Game 2: ATL @ LAD, Sunday, October 4, 8 p.m. ET on FS1
Game 3: LAD vs. TBD, Tuesday, October 6, 6 p.m. ET on FS1
Game 4: LAD vs. TBD*, Wednesday, October 7, time TBD on FS1
Game 5: ATL @ LAD*, Friday, October 9, time TBD on FOX
How to watch the Braves-Dodgers MLB Playoffs series for free
Sign up for a free trial of DIRECTV to watch the NLDS for free. DIRECTV is a live TV streaming service that carries every channel you need to watch Braves vs. Dodgers and the rest of the 2026 MLB Playoffs. It includes FOX, FS1, TBS and truTV at its base pricing ($89.99 per month after free trial and $30 off your first month. Right now you can try DIRECTV free for 5 days.
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$30 off first month
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Other free trials are offered with fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV, but fuboTV is missing TBS and truTV for the American League serie, and Hulu’s free trial is only three days.
Why use DIRECTV instead of StreamEast?
Streameast was an illegal streaming service that is no longer running after getting shut down in 2025. Streameast was how many baseball fans watched games for free, but it, and sites like it, are unreliable, prone to pop-ups and malware, and often have poor video quality.
The free Streameast alternatives above are safer, legal and can be canceled any time if you don’t want to keep paying.
What to know about Braves vs. DodgersThe Braves Keep Finding Answers
Atlanta’s rotation remains a major storyline. Chris Sale was dominant all season, posting a 2.16 ERA with 200 strikeouts, but his availability is suddenly one of the biggest questions in the series after he threw in relief to help close out Philadelphia. Tyler Mahle pitched through discomfort in the Wild Card round, while unexpected contributors such as Ray Kerr have become crucial pieces of the pitching plan. The Braves have spent all year patching together innings, and they’ll need more of that creativity against Los Angeles.
October heroes emerging
The Wild Card Series also showcased why Atlanta remains dangerous despite its injury issues. Michael Harris II bounced back from a frustrating Game 2 by launching a three-run homer in the deciding game and now owns an impressive postseason track record early in his career.
Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson also delivered big swings against Philadelphia, while Ronald Acuña Jr. continues to set the table at the top of the lineup. Atlanta’s offense may not have entered October as the headliner, but it showed against the Phillies that it can change a game quickly.
Can Atlanta top the defending champions?
The Dodgers enter the series as the measuring stick in the National League, but Atlanta has already proven it belongs. The Braves won the NL East and just earned their first postseason series victory since their 2021 championship run.
With Sale’s status uncertain, a patchwork pitching staff, and a lineup gaining confidence, Atlanta heads into the NLDS as a battle-tested team that has spent months overcoming adversity. The question now is whether that grit is enough to knock off the defending World Series champions.