The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves in four games.

Los Angeles regained control of the series behind a dominant performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 3, earning a 3-1 victory in Atlanta.

The Dodgers opened the series strongly behind ace Tarik Skubal, who helped them secure a 5-3 victory in Game 1 on Saturday. More information has since emerged about Skubal’s reaction to receiving that assignment.

When manager Dave Roberts informed Skubal that he would start Game 1 of the National League Division Series, the left-hander initially felt surprised.

Skubal’s reaction was not rooted in any belief that he was undeserving. The two-time Cy Young Award winner and prized trade deadline acquisition had simply assumed that Yamamoto would receive the honor.

According to Katie Woo from The Athletic, Skubal viewed Yamamoto as the leading pitcher in Los Angeles and believed he had earned the Game 1 assignment.

Skubal also expressed considerable respect for everything Yamamoto has accomplished with the Dodgers, particularly during the postseason.

“I know Yama’s the guy here,” Skubal said.

“I personally wanted him going Game 1 just because he’s the guy, and I have a lot of respect for everything he’s done here, especially in the postseason.

“I was surprised, probably like everyone else was, you know?" Skubal said. "I thought he earned that.”

Yamamoto instead started in an arguably more important situation during Game 3, when control of the series was at stake.

The right-hander allowed one run on four hits with 10 strikeouts and a walk in seven innings to earn the victory in a highly anticipated matchup against Braves ace Chris Sale.

Sale allowed three runs on seven hits (two home runs) with seven strikeouts and no walks in five innings.

Yamamoto, who earned MVP honors during the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, improved to 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 63 innings over 11 career postseason appearances (10 starts).

The Dodgers are also 33-0 when Yamamoto receives at least three runs of support.

Skubal was equally impressive during his start on Saturday and he will likely start in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Skubal’s response to receiving the opening assignment revealed his character. Rather than treating the decision as validation of his own status, he immediately considered what Yamamoto had earned.

That reaction demonstrated humility and respect for an accomplished teammate. Skubal understood that joining the Dodgers at the deadline did not erase the work Yamamoto had already completed for the organization.

His willingness to publicly support another pitcher also reflects confidence. Secure players do not need to diminish teammates to reinforce their own importance.

Skubal still accepted the responsibility and delivered when Los Angeles trusted him with Game 1 of the National League Division Series.

That combination of humility, competitiveness and accountability makes him valuable during an important postseason series.

He respected Yamamoto’s position, embraced his own assignment and gave the Dodgers the performance they needed.