Steve Webb
ARLINGTON, TX — Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered one of his strongest performances yet in a Dodgers uniform, outdueling Texas ace Jacob deGrom in a 3-0 win at Globe Life Field. After the game, Yamamoto spoke with reporters about his mindset, his execution, and what it meant to face off against one of the best pitchers in the game.
Asked what the key was to his outstanding outing, Yamamoto credited his preparation and mental clarity. “I’ve been in a good rhythm since my last start,” he said. “I was able to organize my thoughts and take the mound with a clear plan. I approached it as a brand-new game and went out there aggressively from the first inning.”
Yamamoto worked seven shutout innings against a potent Rangers lineup, scattering just a few hits while racking up strikeouts and limiting hard contact. It was a display of precision and poise, especially considering the high-stakes matchup with deGrom on the other side.
“I’m really happy I could go seven innings,” Yamamoto said. “Even in my previous outings when I felt good, I found myself falling behind in the count at times. Today, I thought I did a better job of staying ahead and executing my pitches more consistently.”
The Japanese right-hander acknowledged there’s always room for improvement, but saw this start as a meaningful step forward. “There are still little areas I want to improve,” he added, “but I think I was better today than last time in those aspects.”
Facing deGrom added an extra layer of motivation and excitement for Yamamoto. “Pitching against a great pitcher like him—it’s fun,” he said. “That kind of matchup brings out the best in you. It’s part of what makes this game so special.”
In speaking to the Japanese media, Yoshinobu Yamamoto spoke with calm confidence after his dominant performance, reflecting on his focus and mindset against a dangerous lineup. When asked about his approach to facing a strong batting order, he said, “They have some really good hitters, so I just concentrated on not letting runners get on base before those dangerous batters. I tried to focus on each hitter, one at a time.” He was especially pleased with his control throughout the outing, adding, “I think my command was really good today. Even when I threw a few balls, I stayed calm and kept pitching into the zone. Not giving up any walks was a big positive.” Responding to high praise from his manager, who called him the best pitcher in the National League right now, Yamamoto said, “I’m very honored by that evaluation. The coaches and manager have really encouraged me, and it motivates me to keep aiming to be number one.”
Yamamoto also acknowledged the pressure of a close game, saying, “Since it was 1-0 the whole way, I knew even a small mistake could flip the game. So I made sure to stay locked in every inning.” He credited the team effort in stepping up during Shohei Ohtani’s absence from the lineup: “Ohtani-san always leads the team, so when he’s out, we all do our part to cover for him and keep fighting together.” Starting the game with a lead helped settle him in, as he explained, “We had a lead right from the start, so I just focused on my pitching and stayed in my rhythm.” His clear-headed, steady approach was key to holding off the Rangers and winning a tight pitchers’ duel against Jacob deGrom.
With performances like this, Yamamoto continues to prove he’s not just adjusting to Major League Baseball—he’s thriving in it.
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