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Yoshinobu Yamamoto Starts NLDS Game 3 vs Braves

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 10:29 PM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Yamamoto Starts NLDS

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.
The Yamamoto–Chris Sale duel is the first such NLDS matchup in 88 years.
Yamamoto posted a 1.77 ERA on the road with opponents’ OPS .480 in 12 starts.
In the 2025 postseason he threw 37.1 innings, 0.78 WHIP, 33 strikeouts and earned World Series MVP.
Yamamoto said he will pitch on short rest or in relief if required.

Summary

Weiss Picks Bullpen

Braves manager Walt Weiss chose a bullpen game, naming Ray Kerr as Game 2 starter.
Chris Sale’s relief appearance in the Wild Card clincher left him short-rest, influencing Weiss’s decision.
Critics say the early bullpen use may limit Sale’s effectiveness in later NLDS games.
Sale wanted to start Game 2, but Braves declined after acquiring him from Boston Red Sox in December 2023 for Vaughn Grissom.

History

Historical Context

In the 2004 American League Championship Series, the Boston Red Sox started Curt Schilling on three days’ rest in Game 5, sparking controversy. Schilling, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003, delivered 5.2 innings, allowed two runs, struck out nine, and secured an 8–6 win. Today, the 2025 NLDS features Yoshinobu Yamamoto versus Chris Sale, with Braves manager Walt Weiss opting for a bullpen game after Sale’s short-rest relief. These historic short-rest decisions illustrate how managers balance ace availability against bullpen strain, shaping postseason strategies and potential championship outcomes.

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Yamamoto Starts NLDS

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.
The Yamamoto–Chris Sale duel is the first such NLDS matchup in 88 years.
Yamamoto posted a 1.77 ERA on the road with opponents’ OPS .480 in 12 starts.
In the 2025 postseason he threw 37.1 innings, 0.78 WHIP, 33 strikeouts and earned World Series MVP.
Yamamoto said he will pitch on short rest or in relief if required.

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