Edwin Diaz ‘really happy’ Dodgers gave him the nod to close Game 3 vs. Braves

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Game 3 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves may not have been a series-decider, but taking the lead in the series is a big deal, momentum-wise. This contest promised a major pitching duel between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chris Sale, the two teams’ respective aces, and in the end, it was the Dodgers that found the bigger breakthrough on offense — with home runs from Kike Hernandez and Freddie Freeman off of Sale proving to be the difference in a 3-1 victory.

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However, even though Yamamoto lasted seven innings and struck out 10 while allowing just one earned run, the Dodgers had to rely on their bullpen to close out the game. Tanner Scott had been the Dodgers’ closer for most of 2026, but on Tuesday, Dave Roberts opted to send out Edwin Diaz, he of the 8.68 regular season ERA in 2026, for the save opportunity in the ninth.

Diaz, who proceeded to get the final three outs of the contest, could not have been more thankful that he got this opportunity, which bodes well for the Dodgers moving forward in their quest for a third-consecutive World Series title.

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“It means a lot, you know. Today was a great win. We needed that win big and they just gave me the opportunity to be in that position and I just did my job, so I’m really happy,” Diaz told reporters after the game, via SportsNet LA on X. “I’m thankful for that. They put a lot of trust on me during my process and today paid off.”

With the Dodgers up by just two runs, they were not out of the woods whatsoever. But Diaz put all of his struggles this year to the side and pitched more like his usual self in Game 3. While he did allow a leadoff double, he got himself out of that jam — getting three straight outs to seal the win and a 2-1 series lead.

If Diaz, the Dodgers’ $69 million man, could return to form in the postseason, LA just might pull off the World Series trifecta.

Related: Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas updates fans on lower back injury, hopes to be available in NLDS Game 4

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