One Number — 0.55 — Explains Dodgers' Curious Yoshinobu Yamamoto Decision
The Dodgers are waiting to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto until Game 3 of the NLDS, but they have a compelling argument.
On October 3, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts selected Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. This decision, based on the number 0.55, seemed unusual. During the regular season, Yamamoto had led the team in various pitching categories, and he even won the 2025 World Series MVP. However, Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell were chosen to start the first two games instead.
Yamamoto has only made three career starts at Truist Park, home of the Braves. In those starts, he has allowed just one run in 16.1 innings, resulting in a 0.55 ERA. This impressive record at the Braves' home venue was not mentioned by Roberts as a reason for his decision, but it likely played a role. The Braves ranked low in wOBA against left-handed pitchers during the season, and this advantage may have influenced the manager's decision to start left-handed pitchers Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell in Games 1 and 2.
Roberts emphasized that all three starting pitchers will pitch in the series, but he also hinted that the choice of pitchers, particularly Yamamoto, may have been strategic. He mentioned that the rotation has been set and that the team is focused on winning the series. However, he acknowledged the Braves' tendency to pitch their top left-handed starters against the Dodgers during the regular season. The Dodgers have become accustomed to this strategy.
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