The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, with a game‑time temperature of 100°F (38°C), the hottest postseason game at Dodger Stadium since 2017. Forecasts predicted a peak of 101°F, roughly 20 degrees above the early‑October average of 81°F. Dodger Stadium’s record high of 103°F was set in 2017 and matched in September 2024.
Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters that Atlanta’s climate was no surprise, adding, “It’s not that big of a factor.” Center fielder Lane Thomas said the 98°F felt cooler than home. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted, “It’s the same conditions for both teams, and you’ve got to stay hydrated and manage it.”
Fans in the outfield pavilions braved the sun, with some, like Helen Greene of Valdosta, Georgia, saying, “It’s hot, but it’s not bad…In Atlanta, my hair would have been up by now.” Others, such as Christopher Hernández of Long Beach, used plastic bottles with fans to spray water, insisting the heat “is not as bad as people think it is.”
Reliever Brent Suter, a Harvard environmental science graduate, warned that 100°F in October is abnormal and that El Niño contributed to the extreme heat. He emphasized hydration and electrolyte intake. Stadium medical staff were positioned to monitor heat‑related illnesses, and emergency teams remained on alert.
Tickets were still available early Saturday, with the lowest price ranging from $56 to $61 on the secondary market. The Dodgers advised fans to wear hats and sunscreen, and allowed non‑alcoholic drinks in sealed bottles up to one liter, as well as refillable water bottles, with bottle‑filling stations and fountains throughout the venue.
