NLDS schedule 2016: Dodgers open playoffs on road at Nationals

For the first time since 2013, the Dodgers will open the playoffs on the road. The Nationals have clinched home field advantage in the 2016 National League Division Series, meaning the first two games of the best-of-5 series will be played at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

The Dodgers’ loss in San Francisco on Saturday was the final straw, putting them 2½ games behind Washington, who is currently leading the Marlins in the seventh inning.

Game 1 of the NLDS will be played on Friday, Oct. 7 in Washington D.C. at a time yet to be determined. It is one of four games on that day.

The Dodgers will host Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 4, to be held on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 10-11 at Dodger Stadium. Should the series require a deciding fifth game, that would be held on Thursday, Oct. 13 in Washington.

Manager Dave Roberts already announced his starting rotation for the first three games of the NLDS, with Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda pitching Games 1-3 in that order. Max Scherzer is expected to start the first game for the Nationals.

The Dodgers won five of six games between the two teams during the regular season, sweeping the Nationals in Los Angeles from June 20-22 then taking two of three games from July 19-21 in Washington D.C. The Dodgers did not face Scherzer in any of those games, but the Nationals missed Hill and Maeda, too.

The Dodgers opened the 2013 NLDS on the road against the Braves, and won the series in four games. LA had home field advantage in 2014 against the Cardinals and again in 2015 against the Mets, but lost both series, in four and five games, respectively. All three series were tied after two games.

From 2013-2015, the Dodgers are 4-3 in the NLDS at home, and 2-4 on the road.

2016 NLDS schedule

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 7 at Washington (Fox Sports 1 or MLB Network)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 8 at Washington (Fox Sports 1 or MLB Network)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 10 at Los Angeles (Fox Sports 1 or MLB Network)
Game 4*: Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Los Angeles (Fox Sports 1)
Game 5*: Thursday, Oct. 13 at Washington (Fox Sports 1)