The Los Angeles Dodgers are a win away from returning to the National League Championship Series after passing another test against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. With Yoshinobu Yamamoto throwing a gem, Los Angeles defeated Atlanta in Game 3 of the NL Division Series at Truist Park in Atlanta, 3-1, as the reigning World Series champs gain a 2-1 series lead.
Yamamoto pitched seven innings, allowing just an earned run on four hits and striking out 10 in yet another sterling postseason performance.
With those K's, Yamamoto managed to set a new career high in the postseason.
Here's more from OptaSTATS to further demonstrate how incredible Yamamoto's performance was:
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the only pitcher in MLB history to earn the win in 5 straight postseason appearances while not allowing more than 1 run or 1 walk in any of them. All 5 have come on the road.”
Moreover, OptaSTATS noted that since pitches were first tracked in 1988, Yamamoto is the only pitcher in the big leagues to start a postseason game on the road and pitch for at least seven innings while racking up no fewer than 10 punchouts and allowing no more than a walk in just under 100 pitches. He threw just 98 pitches before being replaced on the mound in the eighth inning by Tanner Scott.
Article Continues BelowYamamoto won his duel with future Baseball Hall of Famer Chris Sale, who lasted just five innings. Sale allowed three earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts.
The Dodgers can finish off the series as soon as Wednesday, with Tyler Glasnow expected to get the ball for the potential closout game for LA.