LOS ANGELES -- The Braves aren’t in must-win territory against the Dodgers just yet in their National League Division Series showdown -- but they’re about as close as you can get.

After dropping Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium, Atlanta will look to even the series on Sunday before it shifts to Truist Park. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will be looking to take a commanding series lead following their 5-3 victory in the opener.

“To win Game 1 is certainly important, very important,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “ … We're in a good spot. It all starts with winning Game 1.”

So, just how important is Game 2?

Well, teams that take a 2-0 lead in any best-of-five series have gone on to win that series 89% of the time (83 of 93). Under the current Division Series format, teams that lose Games 1 and 2 on the road have recovered to win the series just three times in 36 chances.

“We're trying to get something special going,” said Braves reliever Brent Suter. “We already have a really special unit, but we're trying to make it a really, really special postseason. So we’ve got to get one [Sunday].”

Here’s everything you need to know about Game 2:

When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch for Game 2 is set for 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. It will be broadcast on Fox, Fox Deportes and FOX One.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Braves: TBD

The Braves haven’t decided whether Chris Sale will start this game. The 37-year-old hurler threw 95 pitches against the Phillies on Tuesday and 21 more to close a three-game NL Wild Card Series against them on Thursday. If Sale doesn’t start, the Braves may have to go with Grant Holmes, who threw two innings of relief on Thursday. Rookie JR Ritchie would be another option.

Dodgers: LHP
Key stat: 11.6 K/9 ranked 6th among MLB starters (min. 40 IP)

Snell's previous postseason with the Dodgers could not have begun much better, as he recorded a 0.86 ERA (two earned runs in 21 innings) in three starts through the NLCS last October. But he allowed five earned runs in each of his World Series starts, leaving a sour taste in his mouth -- and giving him some added motivation to be even better this year.

Shoulder fatigue and surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow limited Snell to just nine regular-season starts, and there was additional injury concern in September when he exited his penultimate start with left groin tightness. But Snell came out of his final start and bye week workouts feeling good.

What might the starting lineups look like?
Braves: Sean Murphy has doubled and homered within his first six at-bats of the postseason. He’s also 3-for-8 with a double and homer in his career against Snell. He could be back in the lineup, and manager Walt Weiss indicated Lane Thomas will get his first start since straining his left intercostal muscle on Sept. 7.

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Dodgers: If the Braves start Sale, the Dodgers will not only stack right-handed hitters higher in their lineup, but they also might shake up their typical starting nine. Kiké Hernández could start at third base over Max Muncy, and Miguel Rojas could start at second base over Tommy Edman if L.A. is looking to optimize its matchups.

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How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Braves: If the Braves are in position to win late, they will have each of their high-leverage relievers available. Closer Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee and Robert Suarez will all enter Sunday with at least two days of rest.

Dodgers: The Dodgers used four relievers in Game 1 -- Brock Stewart, Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott and Evan Phillips -- but none threw more than 15 pitches. Because everyone was rested after the bye week, every reliever should be available for Game 2.

Any injuries of note?
Braves: RHP Bryce Elder (right knee surgery) and LHP Martín Pérez (lower back discomfort) will not be available during this series. Both could be available if the Braves advance to the NLCS.

Dodgers: Ohtani (right biceps, left knee) and Freeman (right knee) are managing lingering injuries. World Series hero Will Klein (right elbow discomfort) has faced hitters, but he has not pitched in a game since July 31 and is viewed as more of a depth option. Blake Treinen (right shoulder inflammation) is unlikely to pitch this postseason.

Who is hot and who is not?
Braves: Albies has gone 4-for-12 with two homers and a triple through four postseason games. Harris has a .908 OPS through 17 plate appearances and Riley has a .792 OPS through 16 plate appearances. But Baldwin (3-for-17), Olson (2-for-15) and Acuña (2-for-13) have struggled.

Dodgers: Teoscar Hernández and Tucker both kept their hot finishes in the regular season going into Game 1, each slugging a two-run homer in the NLDS opener. Edman (.659 OPS in September) went 0-for-2 with a walk.

Anything else fans might want to know?

  • Roberts enters Game 2 one win shy of 71 managerial postseason wins, which would tie Tony La Russa for second-most all-time. Joe Torre holds the record with 84.
  • Reggie Smith, the team's latest Legends of Dodger Baseball inductee, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.