Why Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is so good on the big stage: 10 strikeouts in 7 innings on the enemy mound

(Japan time 7th, Major League Baseball National League District Series Game 3 Dodgers 3-1 Braves)

"Oh, oh, oh."

During the Braves' attack, local fans filling the stands chanted folk-style melodies. Swinging from the elbow like an ax. It's Atlanta's famous "tomahawk chop."

The head-to-head record for both teams is 1 win and 1 loss. A showdown between both aces in a match where if they win, they will advance to the district series. In a tense atmosphere on the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers stood proud.

He allowed one run in seven innings and had 10 strikeouts.

With a breaking ball that quickly left the strike zone, he easily caused the Braves batting lineup to miss.

The only time he had a runner in scoring position was in the fifth inning. He allowed one point during an infield grounder, and still faced No. 2 Acuña on second and third base with two outs. The count was 3 balls and 1 strike, but ``I felt like I could control every ball in the right place.'' He grounded out to two with a low split. The course is likely to result in a walk if he is given up. Still, he let the bat swing.

The team's batting line hit two home runs in the fourth inning, attacking the opponent's ace left-hander. Yamamoto easily protected that three-point lead.

He won the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in last season's World Series. In the postseason, he has pitched a total of 10 times up to this game, winning 7 games with an ERA of 2.25.

Why are you so strong on the big stage?