Checking to see is there a Dodger game today usually leads to a frantic Google search five minutes before you want to crack open a beer. We’ve all been there. You’re trying to figure out if it’s a 7:10 PM start at Chavez Ravine or if the team is playing some getaway day matinee in Chicago that you already missed.
Major League Baseball schedules are a grind. 162 games. Hardly any days off. It’s a marathon that feels like a sprint when you’re just trying to keep up with the NL West standings.
The Current State of the Dodgers Schedule
Right now, we are sitting in the heart of the 2026 season. If you’re asking is there a Dodger game today, the answer is almost always "yes," unless it's a Monday or a travel Thursday. The Dodgers have built a roster that is basically an All-Star team, and every game feels like an event. Whether Shohei Ohtani is on the mound or just terrorizing pitchers from the DH spot, the schedule dictates the rhythm of Los Angeles.
You have to look at the series flow. MLB usually groups games into three or four-game sets. If they played yesterday and they’re playing tomorrow, they’re definitely playing today. The only real "danger zones" for missing a game are those weird 10:00 AM PT starts when they head East to face the Mets or the Phillies.
📖 Related: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
Honestly, the best way to verify the timing is the official MLB app, but even that gets laggy. You want the raw data. Check the local broadcasters. SportsNet LA is the home base, but on weekends, you’re often dodging the "exclusive" windows on Apple TV+ or Roku. It's annoying. We know.
Why the Start Times Keep Changing
There isn't a "standard" time anymore. Remember when every night game was 7:10 PM? Those days are gone. Television networks now run the show.
- Sunday Night Baseball: If ESPN picks up the Dodgers for the national window, forget about your afternoon BBQ plans. That game is moving to 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM PT.
- Getaway Days: If the Dodgers are finishing a series at home before flying to Miami, they’ll play at 12:10 PM or 1:10 PM. It’s for the players' sleep schedules, but it ruins a workday for the rest of us.
- Doubleheaders: Rarely happen unless there’s a rainout (unlikely in LA) or a weird scheduling fluke.
If you are looking for the Dodger game today, check the weather in the opponent's city too. If they’re in St. Louis and a thunderstorm is rolling through, that "scheduled" start time is just a suggestion.
👉 See also: Nebraska Cornhuskers Women's Basketball: What Really Happened This Season
Navigating the Blackout Mess
You found the game. You know it's at 6:40 PM. You sit down, turn on the TV, and... nothing. The "Blackout Rule" is the most hated phrase in baseball. Even in 2026, with all our technology, MLB still makes it hard for local fans to watch without a specific cable package.
If you’re in LA, you need Spectrum. If you’re outside LA, you need MLB.tv. But if the Dodgers are playing the team in your local market, you’re blacked out on the app. It’s a mess. Many fans have turned to "alternative" methods or just heading to a sports bar. Honestly, sometimes the radio call with Stephen Nelson and Rick Monday is better anyway. There’s a certain magic to hearing the crack of the bat over the AM airwaves while you’re stuck in 405 traffic.
Key Matchups to Watch This Week
The schedule makers love drama. The Dodgers' season usually hinges on how they handle the Giants and the Padres. When you're wondering is there a Dodger game today, check if it’s a "Rivalry Week." Those games almost always start later to accommodate the national audience.
✨ Don't miss: Nebraska Basketball Women's Schedule: What Actually Matters This Season
- The San Diego Factor: The Padres have spent enough money to buy a small country, and they play the Dodgers like it’s the World Series every single time.
- The Bay Bridge Series: It doesn't matter if the Giants are in last place; they will play the Dodgers tooth and nail.
- Interleague Play: With the balanced schedule, we see more of the Yankees and Red Sox. These games are usually sellouts, so if you're looking for tickets today, expect to pay a premium on the secondary market.
How to Get to the Stadium Without Losing Your Mind
If the answer to is there a Dodger game today is "yes" and it's at home, you have to plan the commute. Dodger Stadium is a cathedral, but getting into the parking lot is a test of human patience.
Use the Dodger Stadium Express from Union Station. It’s free with your ticket. It saves you $30 on parking and about two hours of frustration. If you insist on driving, arrive at least 90 minutes before first pitch. People underestimate the security lines. By the time you get through the gate, find your seat, and grab a Dodger Dog, it’s already the third inning.
Actionable Steps for Today's Game
Don't just wonder if they’re playing; be ready for it. Here is the move:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the Dodgers' official site and download the digital schedule to your Google or Apple Calendar. It updates automatically for time changes.
- Check the Pitching Probables: Don't just look for the game time; see who’s on the mound. If it’s an ace vs. ace matchup, the game will likely move faster because of the pitch clock.
- Verify the Broadcast: Check if it’s a "Special Interest" game. Is it on YouTube? Is it on Peacock? Knowing this at 2:00 PM prevents a meltdown at 7:00 PM.
- Monitor the Lineup: Lineups usually drop 2-3 hours before first pitch. If Ohtani or Freeman are getting a "rest day," you might want to know that before you settle in.
The Dodgers are more than just a baseball team in Los Angeles; they are the heartbeat of the summer. Keeping track of the schedule is just part of the lifestyle. Whether they are home or away, day or night, the quest for another ring continues every single day.