The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the League Championship Series by defeating the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, as three other postseason series forced elimination showdowns across Major League Baseball.
Tyler Mahle turned in an outing for the Braves, recording the two highest splitter usage playoff starts in the Statcast era with a minimum of 50 pitches, going pitch for pitch and in some ways outdueling Tyler Glasnow with the Braves’ backs against the wall. Mahle gave up just one earned run on an inherited runner.
Dodgers Clinch Series
The decisive Game 4 matchup hinged on tight competition, as the Dodgers beat the Braves 3-1 to advance.
Guardians Avoid Sweep
In the American League Division Series, the Cleveland Guardians averted a sweep by roughing up the Chicago White Sox on the South Side to force a Game 4, backed by 19 strikeouts from the Cleveland pitching staff as they out-bullpenned the White Sox. Jose Ramirez provided a signature moment by outright beating a throw home with the infield in and an exit velocity of 105.9 mph hit right to the second baseman, executing an elite headfirst slide where he maxed out his motion.
Four Elimination Games Played
Wednesday’s schedule featured four games total, all serving as win-or-go-home contests for teams with their backs against the wall. The action included the Cleveland Guardians facing the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers meeting the Atlanta Braves, the Tampa Bay Rays up 2-0 looking to bounce the Yankees in the Bronx, and the San Diego Padres visiting the Milwaukee Brewers with the Brewers holding a 2-1 series lead. San Diego and Milwaukee previously met across six regular-season matchups where San Diego finished with a 4-2 advantage, while the divisional round setup placed the first two games and a fifth game at American Family Field before shifting Games 3 and 4 to San Diego.