October Baseball Returns To Dodger Stadium With Triple-Digit Heat Possible

October baseball returns to Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon—and fans attending the Dodgers’ postseason opener should prepare for potentially dangerous heat.

Game 1 of the National League Division Series is officially scheduled for 1 p.m. PDT Saturday and will be televised on Fox.

Game 2 will begin at 5 p.m. PDT Sunday at Dodger Stadium and air on FS1.

The Dodgers will face the winner of Thursday’s decisive Wild Card Game 3 between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.

Saturday Could Be One Of The Hottest Postseason Games At Dodger Stadium

Current forecasts call for afternoon temperatures around 100 degrees Saturday, with some projections reaching as high as 103 near Dodger Stadium.

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch covering the Los Angeles area beginning Friday and continuing through the following week.

Because Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., fans will be entering the stadium and finding their seats during the hottest portion of the day.

If the temperature reaches triple digits by first pitch, the game could join a very short list in Dodgers postseason history.

Game 1 of the 2017 World Series began with a temperature of 103 degrees, making it the hottest World Series game on record and the only previous postseason game at Dodger Stadium known to have a triple-digit first-pitch temperature.

Fans Should Prepare Before Entering The Stadium

Anyone attending Saturday’s game should plan for prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly in sections with limited shade.

Fans should drink water before arriving, wear lightweight clothing, apply sunscreen and bring appropriate sun protection that complies with stadium policies.

Dodger Stadium permits factory-sealed plastic bottles containing nonalcoholic beverages as long as each bottle holds no more than one liter. Fans may also bring an empty refillable bottle of one liter or less, provided it does not contain any glass components.

Water-filling stations are available in center field and on the Loge Level near Sections 152 and 153. Water fountains can also be found throughout the stadium.

Fans should remember that umbrellas are not permitted inside Dodger Stadium.

Parking gates typically open approximately two-and-a-half hours before first pitch, while stadium gates generally open about two hours before the game. That means many fans could begin arriving between 10:30 and 11 a.m., when temperatures will already be climbing.

Dodgers Begin Their Pursuit Of A Third Straight Championship

The Dodgers earned a first-round bye by finishing as the National League’s No. 2 seed, allowing them to rest and hold workouts while the Wild Card Series determined their opponent.

Their postseason path begins Saturday against either Atlanta or Philadelphia in a best-of-five series.

Game 3 will be played Tuesday, October 6, on the road. A potential Game 4 would follow Wednesday, with a decisive Game 5 returning to Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 9.

Before any of that, the Dodgers will open their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series championship in what could be one of the hottest October games Dodger Stadium has ever hosted.

If you are attending Game 1, prepare for the heat, stay hydrated and take care of the Dodgers fans around you.