‘We are the team to beat’: How the Dodgers are preparing for showdown with Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing to open their best-of-five National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. After earning a first-round playoff bye, the reigning back-to-back champions utilized their preparation week for watch parties, live pitching sessions, batting practice, and an intrasquad scrimmage while monitoring Atlanta's 6-2 wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized team togetherness during the break to prevent complacency before facing a battle-tested Braves squad. Seeking to become the first National League franchise to win three consecutive World Series titles, players like Kiké Hernández and Max Muncy noted that the team aims to focus solely on on-field execution rather than historical pressure.