Record Heat Postseason Opener
Dodgers Defeat Braves 5-3 in Record-Breaking 100-Degree Postseason Opener
Anonymous
Key Points
1
At 100 degrees, the game was the second-hottest postseason game on record; Dodger Stadium’s game-time record is 103 degrees, reached during Game 1 of the 2017 World Series and matched in a 2024 regular-season game.
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The Dodgers stayed inside during pregame batting practice, while the Braves took batting practice in the sun. Braves manager Walt Weiss said, “Remember, we're from Atlanta. It's not that big of a factor.”
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Skubal joined the Dodgers in a trade with Detroit shortly before the Aug. 3 deadline, with three prospects sent in return. He is earning a record $32 million this season and can become a free agent after the World Series.
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Hundreds of Braves fans gathered at The Battery Atlanta for an official outdoor watch party despite the team playing in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series under stifling 100-degree heat at Dodger Stadium. WRAL reported that starter Tarik Skubal threw fastballs up to 101 mph while retiring 15 straight batters after allowing a first-inning single. Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker, and Max Muncy each homered for Los Angeles in the extreme conditions, among the hottest postseason games ever played.
A Record-Breaking Heat Wave at the Stadium
The 100-degree temperature made this the second-hottest postseason game on record, News-Gazette confirmed. Dodger Stadium's own postseason record sits at 103 degrees, set during Game 1 of the 2017 World Series and matched again during a 2024 regular-season game. The intense heat drove fans to seek shaded seating, with team staff working overtime to manage conditions throughout the day.
Skubal's Dominant Performance in Extreme Conditions
Tarik Skubal delivered six dominant innings for the Dodgers, HNG News reported. After giving up a single in the opening inning, he retired the next 15 batters in a row. His fastball consistently touched 101 mph despite the oppressive heat. The Braves mounted a late rally with Ozzie Albies crushing a two-run homer, but it came too late to overcome Los Angeles's three-homer advantage.
Pre-Game Strategy Reveals Different Approaches
The two teams took sharply different approaches to handling the heat. Post Register noted that the Dodgers kept their hitters inside during pregame batting practice, while Atlanta chose to practice in the blazing sun. Braves manager Walt Weiss downplayed the conditions, saying: "Remember, we're from Atlanta. It's not that big of a factor." The decision did not pay off as the Dodgers' bats proved more effective throughout the game.
Skubal's Record Contract and Braves Fans Rally Remotely
Idaho State Journal confirmed that Skubal joined the Dodgers on August 3 in a trade with Detroit, with three prospects heading to the Tigers in return. He is earning a record $32 million this season and will become a free agent after the World Series concludes. Meanwhile, hundreds of Braves fans gathered at The Battery Atlanta for an official watch party, staying connected to the team despite the 2,000-mile distance to Dodger Stadium.
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