The Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS last week, entering the match with the series tied at 1-1. Despite the challenge posed by Braves ace Chris Sale, the Dodgers felt confident, sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound.

Yamamoto is set to pitch again on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers, as the Dodgers trail 1-0 in the NLCS. His postseason performance continues to spark discussions about his place among the greatest playoff pitchers.

In the pivotal NLDS Game 3, Yamamoto showcased his talent by striking out 10 batters over seven innings, allowing only one run. Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal expressed high regard for Yamamoto, emphasizing his reliability in crucial moments.

Unlike many starters who pitch shorter outings in the playoffs, Yamamoto consistently delivers deep into games. Last postseason, he threw back-to-back complete games against the Brewers and later in the World Series. His resilience was evident in Game 6 of the World Series, where he helped force a Game 7 before closing the series with a win.

Yamamoto boasts an impressive postseason record of 8-1 in 11 appearances, with the Dodgers winning 10 of those games. He has a career playoff ERA of 2.14, a WHIP of 0.83, and has struck out 58 batters in 63 innings. In the 2025 World Series, he was named MVP after a stellar performance of 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA.

His recent five postseason games have seen him achieve a 5-0 record with a 1.07 ERA. Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas noted Yamamoto's emergence as a dominant playoff pitcher, highlighting the confidence the team has in him.

As Yamamoto continues to excel, he joins the ranks of legendary pitchers like Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson. With many years ahead of him at just 27 years old, and under contract through 2035, his potential for further greatness in the postseason remains immense.