NL DIVISION SERIES: BRAVES VS DODGERS

October 5, 2026

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Truist Park

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Yoshinobu, when they had the conversation with you about you starting Game 3, what was the message to you and what was your response?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: So actually, I was not told directly since I was not with the team in San Francisco. But when I heard it, my mental switch was turned on.

Q. How did you hear the message? And then did you have any conversations with Dave or Mark about it?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I was in LA.

INTERPRETER: So actually that was me. I got a text message and I told him.

Q. You had such a big workload last postseason. What did you learn from that about kind of keeping yourself fresh to be able to pitch so many innings in the postseason?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Yes, I think what I experienced in the postseason last year, that will benefit me. But I take this postseason freshly, and then I just take one game at a time.

Q. If there were a situation where the team maybe needed you to pitch in relief like you did in the World Series or on shorter rest, is that something that you would be open to and think you could do?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Yes, because I'm going to get myself ready for any situation. If they want me to go out, then I go out. But for me, just those are key things for me. Postseason is just focusing on the game right in front of me.

Q. How much is your training geared around almost peaking physically this time of year? How much is your training built around trying to peak physically this time of the year, when the guys are not in as good a spot.

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Physically, I'm really feeling really good because I'm ready for the game.

Q. It's been a while since you pitched in an actual game. With that extra time between, were you able to kind of work on some specific things, whether it be with your delivery or anything like that?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Basically, I haven't changed much. Last week, I pitched in an intrasquad game, and so that was competitive game. So I haven't changed much, and I feel great.

Q. Just the way that this series has played out, what do you think about matching up with Sale on the other side in a tied series?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Obviously he's one of the best pitchers, but I just want to focus on my own job.

Q. What do you think you need to do since you're facing a great pitcher in Sale tomorrow?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Because I don't really change because of who I'm facing, who I'm pitching against.

Q. What was your impression or what was on your mind when you faced Chris Sale back in August?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Because we lost the game, and that was very regretful, but tomorrow is a new game. So I focus on my own job.

Q. You faced the Braves three times in the past and your ERA was 0.55 and the opponent hitting average was .158. And what was your impression?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm not sure about the result, but probably I was in a good condition, so that led to that good result.

And then about the fans here, the atmosphere, they're very passionate and very cheerful.

Q. We heard you faced Shohei in the intrasquad game last week. What did you learn from him by facing him? And how many pitches did you throw?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I threw about 70 pitches. And after we faced, he gave me some advice from the hitter's perspective.

Q. You just said Shohei gave you advice. Is that something that quite happens between you guys? And then also what do you think about tomorrow's game?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Because we sit right next to each other in the clubhouse locker room, and we quite often we do talk about baseball. But that was the first time facing him and then getting advice from him.

And about tomorrow, the series is tied, I do my best to get a win.

Q. This is the third year in the postseason and every year probably you're getting better, improving. Do you feel right now, this third year, do you feel mentally and physically better than the last two years, the last two postseasons?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm not sure which year is the best. But right now, I'm feeling I'm totally ready for the game this postseason.

Q. We are watching you mentally, like, the same kind of status and condition, and no matter what kind of tournament or regular season, WBC, the regular season, postseason, do you feel any difference?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I usually take any types of game just the same. Having my mental, physical ready for any game the same.

But when it comes to the postseason in October, games in October, I do feel a little bit different.

Q. Why can you do that?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: It's just always the same mentality.