Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a postseason gem Tuesday night, striking out 10 over seven innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in Dodgers Braves NLDS Game 3 at Truist Park. The victory gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series and moved the Dodgers within one win of the NLCS, according to Reuters.
The Dodgers are chasing a third consecutive World Series championship, which would make them the first National League team to win three straight titles. They can close out the series Wednesday night in Game 4 at Truist Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. If the Braves win, a decisive Game 5 would be played Friday in Los Angeles.
Yamamoto Dominates in Dodgers Braves NLDS Game 3
The 2025 World Series MVP was brilliant from the start. Yamamoto allowed just one run on four hits and one walk while piling up 10 strikeouts, a postseason career high for the Japanese right-hander.
The only real trouble came in the fifth inning, when the Braves loaded the bases with one out. Drake Baldwin’s groundout to first scored Mauricio Dubón for Atlanta’s lone run, but Yamamoto steadied himself and got Ronald Acuña Jr. to ground out to second to end the threat.
Yamamoto’s career postseason record now stands at 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA across 11 appearances, including 10 starts. It was another entry in what has become one of the most reliable October résumés in the game.
Fourth-Inning Homers Break It Open
Chris Sale was electric early for Atlanta, striking out six of the first nine Dodgers he faced, including Shohei Ohtani with two runners on in the first inning. The Braves ace stranded six runners over the first three innings, including the bases loaded in the third, when Dubón made a leaping catch over the left-field wall to rob Freddie Freeman of a two-run homer.
But the fourth inning changed everything. Andy Pages singled, and Kiké Hernández — batting ninth after manager Dave Roberts started him over Tommy Edman, citing the need for intensity and urgency — crushed a changeup from Sale 406 feet to left field for a two-run homer. It was Hernández’s 17th career postseason home run and his first of this postseason.
One out later, Freeman went deep himself, sending a solo shot to right-center in his first postseason game back in Atlanta — the city where he played his first 12 major league seasons and won the 2021 World Series. The homer was Freeman’s 18th career postseason blast, tying him for 10th in MLB history.
It was the first time Sale had allowed multiple home runs in a game since July 4. The veteran left-hander finished with five innings pitched, seven hits, three runs, seven strikeouts and no walks on 95 pitches, according to USA Today.
Scott and Díaz Slam the Door
Tanner Scott worked a scoreless eighth inning, handing the ninth to Edwin Díaz, who had not recorded a save since mid-August. Díaz made it interesting, allowing a leadoff double off the right-center wall to Ozzie Albies.
But the closer bore down: Michael Harris II’s groundout advanced Albies to third, Dubón fouled out to right field, and Mike Yastrzemski grounded out to shortstop Mookie Betts to end the game.
Ohtani Drops to No. 5, Goes Hitless
In a notable lineup move, Ohtani hit fifth — his lowest spot in the batting order since 2020. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, reached on catcher’s interference by Baldwin in the third, and walked in the eighth.
What’s Next After Dodgers Braves NLDS Game 3
The Dodgers now hold a 2-1 series lead after splitting the first two games in Los Angeles — a 5-3 Dodgers win in Game 1 on Oct. 3, followed by a 3-2 Braves victory in Game 2 on Oct. 4. Game 4 is Wednesday night at Truist Park at 6 p.m. ET.
Elsewhere in the National League playoffs, the other NLDS matchup has also produced October drama — the Milwaukee Brewers walked off the San Diego Padres in Game 2 (read more). In the American League, the White Sox rallied past the Guardians in Game 2 of their ALDS (read more).
FAQ
Who won Dodgers Braves NLDS Game 3?
The Dodgers beat the Braves 3-1 on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Truist Park in Atlanta, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five NLDS.
How did Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitch in Game 3?
Yamamoto threw seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with a postseason career-high 10 strikeouts. His career postseason record improved to 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA.
Who homered for the Dodgers in Game 3?
Kiké Hernández hit a 406-foot two-run homer in the fourth off Chris Sale, and Freddie Freeman added a solo homer one out later. Freeman’s blast was his 18th career postseason home run, tying him for 10th in MLB history.
When is NLDS Game 4 between the Dodgers and Braves?
Game 4 is Wednesday night at Truist Park in Atlanta, starting at 6 p.m. ET. The Dodgers can clinch the NLCS with a win; a Braves victory would force Game 5 on Friday in Los Angeles.
Sources: Reuters, USA Today, MLB.com
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