Yoshinobu Yamamoto continued to establish himself as a reliable postseason starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping lead the team to a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.

Yamamoto entered the game with confidence in his entire pitch mix and maintained that belief throughout his outing. He felt he had strong command of his pitches from the beginning, allowing him to attack Atlanta's lineup while remaining comfortable in important situations.

That confidence was especially important when Yamamoto faced Ronald Acuña Jr. in the fifth inning, with the Braves threatening with runners on second and third. Atlanta had already scored its only run of the game, making the situation one of the biggest challenges Yamamoto faced throughout his start.

With the count at 3-1, Yamamoto trusted his pitch selection and ability to execute. Rather than allowing the pressure of the moment to affect his approach, he remained focused on controlling the at-bat and making the pitch he believed would give him the best chance to get out of the inning.

Yamamoto also acknowledged the intensity surrounding the postseason atmosphere at Truist Park.

The crowd created a difficult environment, particularly during the fifth inning when he found himself in trouble. However, the atmosphere did not prevent him from maintaining his composure as he worked through the situation.

The Dodgers have relied on Yamamoto in some of their biggest games, and his ability to remain composed in those moments has become an important part of his postseason value.

Despite pitching on one of baseball's biggest stages, Yamamoto does experience some nerves before games. He explained that the preparation leading into his starts can bring some anxiety, but he views those feelings as a normal and important part of getting ready to compete.

Once the game begins, his focus shifts toward executing his pitches.

Yamamoto's performance also produced a career-high total of postseason strikeouts, another indication of how effectively he controlled his arsenal against Atlanta.

He credited his early feel for his pitches as a major factor in his success. From the start, he felt capable of commanding everything in his repertoire, which allowed him to attack hitters with confidence.

That level of execution helped the Dodgers secure an important victory and put Yamamoto's postseason development further on display.

Before the game, Yamamoto also exchanged a brief acknowledgment with Braves starter Chris Sale.

The two pitchers had previously faced each other, with Yamamoto remembering the disappointment of the Dodgers' loss in their earlier matchup. That experience helped shape his mindset entering Game 3.

Rather than focusing on the previous result, Yamamoto concentrated on preventing Atlanta from scoring first and setting the tone for the Dodgers.

His approach ultimately paid off. Yamamoto delivered another composed postseason performance, while Los Angeles secured a 3-1 victory and continued its push through the NLDS.