The Atlanta Braves shocked everyone after they stole Game 2 of the NLDS from the Dodgers. Everyone expected LA to blow Atlanta out, and while they were wrong, it's understandable why they thought so. Using a bullpen game in back-to-back days felt like disaster was just around the corner. However, Ray Kerr and the Braves' relief core had other plans, and they held the Dodgers to just two runs.
Atlanta's offense got a couple of big hits, but they could have scored more often. They left 11 runners on base and were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers issued eight walks during Game 2. Not capitalizing on that was disappointing.
The Braves can't afford to do that in Game 3, as their chances to score will be much more limited. It will be imperative to score some runs early as LA sends Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound.
Braves have to pounce on Yoshinobu Yamamoto early if they want to take a series lead in the NLDS
Yamamoto is one of the best pitchers in baseball right now, and he will be a tall task for the Braves. Atlanta did beat him earlier this season thanks to a first-inning home run by Drake Baldwin. Yamamoto settled in after that and completed 6.1 innings, with one walk and eight strikeouts.
Once he settles into the game, Braves hitters won't have many chances to score runs. It will also be difficult as Yamamoto has been way better on the road than he has at home. He has a 3.13 ERA at Dodger Stadium versus a 1.77 ERA away from Chávez Ravine.
Furthermore, Yamamoto has some insane career numbers when pitching at Truist Park. Over 16.1 innings pitched, he carries an insane 0.55 ERA with five walks, 17 strikeouts, and a .158 average against him.
That is a pretty impressive track record, and it doesn't bode well for the Braves. The keys to winning Game 3 will be scoring early on Yamamoto and Chris Sale pitching deep into the game. Atlanta also needs their left-handed bats, including Matt Olson, to show up big in this one.
If the Braves can put up a couple of runs in the first, it will likely be smooth sailing (no pun intended) for the rest of the way. It won't be easy to take the series lead, but beating the Dodgers was never going to be easy.
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