Dodgers Interview: Yamamoto Steady Amid Dodgers’ Offensive Struggles
"This Is Baseball"
ST. LOUIS — Despite another gem on the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto walked away with a no-decision on Friday night as the Dodgers dropped a frustrating 2-1 game to the Cardinals. The rookie right-hander went six scoreless innings, continuing a dominant stretch of pitching, but the Dodgers’ offense couldn’t provide enough support to make it count.
Speaking through an interpreter after the game, Yamamoto emphasized his preparation and consistency as keys to his outing. “Before the game, I had a solid conversation with [Austin] Barnes about the game plan, and I just focused on executing my pitches like I always do,” he said. “I concentrated on doing my job.”
Since his last start, Yamamoto said he didn’t change his routine drastically but worked on fine-tuning his mechanics. “There weren’t major changes in how I spent the days between starts, but I made some small adjustments through trial and error,” he explained.
One area of focus was refining his splitter and curveball. “Recently, I hadn’t been throwing those pitches from a consistent form,” Yamamoto said. “But tonight, I felt like I was able to throw them well with the right motion.”
Yamamoto has given the Dodgers a chance to win in nearly every start he’s made, but the lack of run support during his outings has become a trend. When asked if it’s frustrating to pitch well and still come away without a win, the 25-year-old responded with calm perspective.
“This is baseball,” he said. “There are games where we score a lot and others where we don’t. I’ve been helped so many times by my teammates, so when they’re struggling, I just try to give everything I’ve got for them and for the team.”
As the Dodgers deal with a string of injuries—including the recent loss of Tony Gonsolin to elbow discomfort—Yamamoto’s consistency becomes even more crucial. But he doesn’t see it as extra pressure. “My job is to stay focused on my own preparation and get ready for my next start,” he said. “That’s how I can help the team.”
Even as the offense searches for answers, Yamamoto remains locked in and composed. With a 2.79 ERA through his last nine outings and a steadily growing presence in the rotation, he’s quickly become one of the Dodgers’ most reliable arms. And he’s doing it with poise well beyond his years.
In a season already marked by challenges, the Dodgers will need more of that quiet resolve as they try to regain momentum. Fortunately, Yamamoto’s approach is unwavering: trust the work, stay focused, and keep delivering.
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