Blazing triple-digit heat bears down on Braves-Dodgers NLDS opener in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting the Atlanta Braves in what is forecast to be the hottest postseason game at Dodger Stadium since 2017.

Shade was at a premium on Saturday for Game 1 of the National League Division Series, which began at 1 p.m. local time. The game-time temperature of 100 degrees was forecast to reach 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), about 20 degrees warmer than the average for early October.

The highest game-time temperature ever recorded at Dodger Stadium is 103 degrees (39 degrees Celsius) twice. The first time was Oct. 24, 2017, for Game 1 of the World Series against Houston. It was equaled on Sept. 8, 2024, for a regular-season game against Cleveland.

The Braves seemingly were unfazed by the blazing sun, cloudless skies and rising thermometer while taking pre-game batting practice. The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers? They stayed inside.

“Remember, we're from Atlanta,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said before the game. “It's not that big of a factor.”

Braves center fielder Lane Thomas added, "I feel like this is a little cooler 98 than Atlanta.”

Some of their fans agreed.

“It's hot, but it's not bad,” said Helen Greene of Valdosta, Georgia, who was sitting in the sun nine rows behind the visiting dugout with her long hair arrayed under a Braves cap. “In Atlanta, my hair would have been up by now.”

Greene and her husband, Chad, were hydrating with water.

“I'll have beer later,” she said, smiling.

Tickets for Game 1 were still available early Saturday. The lowest get-in price ranged from $56 to $61, depending on the secondary marketplace.

Fans still gathered in the outfield pavilions in hopes of catching a stray ball off the Braves' bats pre-game. But other seating areas were mostly empty 90 minutes before first pitch.

Christopher Hernández of Long Beach and his girlfriend sat in the sun behind the Dodgers dugout with giveaway towels covering their heads.

“We play sports and we know how it feels to be in the heat and we know how to beat the heat, too,” he said, showing off a blue plastic bottle with a fan attached to spritz water. “It's not as bad as people think it is.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts planned to keep an eye on his pitchers and catcher Will Smith, who wears a mask and padding behind the plate.

“It’s the same conditions for both teams,” the manager said, “and you’ve got to just stay hydrated and manage it.”

Braves reliever Brent Suter graduated from Harvard in 2012, having majored in environmental science and public policy.

“In the back of my mind, I’m like 100 degrees in October in L.A., that’s definitely not normal,” he said before the game. “Obviously super El Niño is a big thing to do with that. It’s going to be a challenge for both sides to stay hydrated, especially the position players.”

Short heat spells in October are normal for Los Angeles, but the prolonged extreme heat warning — forecast to last at least a week — is keeping temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal. The average high in Los Angeles in early October is 81 degrees (27 degrees Celsius).

“Just making sure everyone is hydrated and staying loose and getting electrolytes in us,” Suter said.

Emergency medical teams were in their usual spots around the stadium, staying alert for anticipated cases of heatstroke, dehydration, excessive sweating caused by heat exposure, and the more typical drunkenness.

The Dodgers encouraged fans to wear hats and sunscreen. They were allowed to bring in non-alcoholic drinks of one liter or less in factory-sealed plastic bottles. Empty refillable water bottles were also allowed. Bottle filling stations and water fountains are scattered around the stadium.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Los Angeles Dodgers fans hold electronic fans as the heat soars during batting practice before Game 1 of a National League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Dodgers fans raise their hands for a ball as the heat soars during batting practice before Game 1 of a National League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Members of the Los Angeles Dodgers take part in batting practice before Game 1 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Dodgers fans look on among empty seats as they shield themselves from the sun and heat before Game 1 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — CJ Carr threw for four touchdowns and ran for another and third-ranked Notre Dame leaned on its ground game in regaining control after halftime to beat North Carolina 37-26 on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish (5-0) were on the verge of going up 28-7 before the Tar Heels (2-2) came up with a goal-line stand and turned it into a long touchdown drive right before halftime. Then UNC came out of the break with Jaden Jefferson sprinting through the rain for a 98-yard kickoff return that brought the Tar Heels to within 21-20.

That's when Carr and the Irish offense went to work with a series of methodical and physical drives, leaning on the run in wet conditions to carry the ball right into the heart of the defensive front and consistently move the chains. That ultimately helped Notre Dame restore its multiple-possession lead while finishing with a season-high 241 yards on the ground.

“When they know you're going to try to run the ball — and you're still able to run the ball — because of the weather conditions, that's a reflection of your team, and the toughness and the physicality,” coach Marcus Freeman said.

Notre Dame responded to Jefferson's big play with a 17-play, 75-yard drive lasting more than nine minutes by the time Carr got around the right side for a fourth-down TD keeper.

Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Notre Dame went to work again in pummeling fashion. Nolan James Jr. did most of the work on the ground, then caught Carr's short pass in the left flat and juked a would-be tackler off his feet to go in for a 6-yard TD and a 34-20 lead to open the fourth quarter.

Freshman Jonaz Walton posted a team-high 120 yards to lead Notre Dame's ground effort, while James added 65. The Irish's rushing output included 122 yards in the third quarter alone in stymieing UNC's momentum, a welcome sign for a new ground game that lost running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price as first-round NFL draft picks.

“Super impressive with the way the offensive line kind of just drove the ball down the field,” Carr said. “They couldn't really stop us. It felt like we were imposing our will on them whenever we wanted to.”

Carr threw for 234 yards, with Jordan Faison making eight catches for 132 yards and two scores.

Billy Edwards Jr. threw for three touchdowns for the Tar Heels but was picked off twice. North Carolina also struggled to get anything going on the ground (77 yards on 23 carries).

“We were certainly competitive, we missed some opportunities,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We just need to do a better job of coaching and playing, take advantage of those opportunities.”

Notre Dame: The defense had its hiccups in the Fighting Irish's 15th straight win. The Irish entered Saturday ranked No. 1 nationally by surrendering 199.3 yards per game and second in scoring (8.3), yet the Tar Heels came within seven points of matching the total the Irish had allowed through four games.

UNC: The Tar Heels started 2-0 before blowing a two-touchdown lead in a loss at Clemson on Sept. 19, then had an open week to prepare for this one. Finding ways to generate more downfield passing gains was a focus, and Edwards found more success. The primary targets were wideout Jordan Shipp (seven catches for 109 yards) and Jelani Thurman (five catches for 50 yards and two TDs) as the Tar Heels flirted with a marquee win in Belichick's second season.

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish host Stanford next Saturday.

UNC: The Tar Heels visit Pittsburgh next Saturday, the first of back-to-back road games against teams that are a combined 9-0.

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North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Shamar Easter (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discusses a call with an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, right, runs back an interception against North Carolina running back Jaylen McGill, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, right, looks to pass against North Carolina behind the block of offensive lineman Sullivan Absher (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)