Story perspectives

Dodgers’ Game 1 Draws Lowest Playoff Crowd in 11 Years

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 2:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Dodgers Record Low Attendance

The Dodgers announced 50,194 fans attended Game 1, the lowest playoff turnout in 11 years.
Second-hand tickets for Game 1 were the cheapest among all Division Series matchups, TickPick reported.
Manager Dave Roberts said the extended bye period strengthens team togetherness and cohesion.
Third baseman Max Muncy said the club is ignoring three-peat pressure and focusing on the series.

Summary

Roberts Names Yamamoto

Dave Roberts confirmed Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 3 of the NLDS in Atlanta.
Yamamoto posted a 0.55 ERA over 16.1 innings in his three previous starts at Truist Park.
Tarik Skubal, earning $32 million this season, will become a free agent after the postseason.
The rotation gives Yamamoto five days’ rest and positions him for a potential NLCS Game 2 start.

Summary

Weiss Tackles Pitcher

Walt Weiss tackled pitcher Reynaldo López after a beanball hit Jorge Soler, displaying his taekwondo black belt.
Matt Olson said every player respects Weiss because of his black-belt.
Braves finished the regular season 94-68, clinching the NL East after a mid-season surge.
Chris Sale recorded a 2.16 ERA, 200 strikeouts and 14 wins, ranking second, fourth and fifth in the league.

History

Historical Context

MLB’s 1994-95 strike, which began on August 12, 1994 and cancelled the World Series, slashed average attendance from 31,256 in 1994 to 25,008 in 1995 – a 20% drop. The shortened 1995 season introduced the League Division Series, yet fan apathy lingered; the Dodgers attracted only 50,194 spectators for NLDS Game 1, echoing the era’s lingering slump.

1 of 4

Dodgers Record Low Attendance

The Dodgers announced 50,194 fans attended Game 1, the lowest playoff turnout in 11 years.
Second-hand tickets for Game 1 were the cheapest among all Division Series matchups, TickPick reported.
Manager Dave Roberts said the extended bye period strengthens team togetherness and cohesion.
Third baseman Max Muncy said the club is ignoring three-peat pressure and focusing on the series.

1 / 4