Edwin Díaz took the ninth with a two-run cushion and one loud problem waiting for him at second base. The Dodgers’ closer gave up Ozzie Albies’ leadoff double, then settled in, recorded the next three outs and preserved a 3-1 win over the Braves at Truist Park. Los Angeles now holds a 2-1 advantage in the National League Division Series, with a third consecutive trip to the NL Championship Series one victory away.
The result
Díaz was handed the ball after a season that had given the Dodgers reasons to hesitate. Los Angeles signed the right-hander to a three-year, $69 million contract last December, envisioning him as the late-inning anchor while the club pursued what would be the fifth World Series three-peat in major league history.
That plan was tested by both injury and results. Díaz underwent an April procedure to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, then went back on the injured list in August because of neck inflammation. Before that second absence, he carried an 11.85 ERA and had blown four saves across 16 appearances.
When he returned in late September, the stuff and the command began to look different. Díaz finished the regular season with five scoreless appearances, though each came in lower-pressure situations. He also worked in Game 2 of this series without a traditional late-game assignment. Still, manager Dave Roberts considers every October inning meaningful leverage, and Díaz earned the ninth-inning call in Game 3.
“We really needed that one,” Díaz said after the save. “They gave me that chance, and I did my job. I’m grateful that they stayed with me through the process. Their trust showed up tonight.”
Albies opened the bottom of the ninth by driving a 2-1 pitch for a double measured at 104.4 mph off the bat. Díaz did not let the early jolt change his approach. Michael Harris II then grounded out after an eight-pitch at-bat, moving Albies to third with one out.
Díaz left the tying run there. Mauricio Dubón popped out in foul ground, and Mike Yastrzemski hit a difficult ground ball that Mookie Betts handled to end it.
“I wasn’t focused on the runner too much,” Díaz said. “Even if he scored, we were still ahead. I put my attention on the hitters, making pitches and trying to get softer contact.”
The save was Díaz’s first since Aug. 14. Roberts said the Dodgers will continue to match up their ninth innings rather than name one permanent closer, but Díaz’s experience gives the club another right-handed option alongside left-hander Tanner Scott.
Roberts said he has remained willing to use Díaz in the final inning when the right-hander pitches to his standard. Díaz, for his part, said his postseason experience helped him keep the moment simple: stay composed, work one pitch at a time, trust his stuff and get the necessary outs.
The rotation next
The clubs return for NLDS Game 4 on Wednesday, scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. PT. Los Angeles can finish the series with another win, while Atlanta needs a victory to force a deciding Game 5.
