Steve Webb
NEW YORK, NY — After the Dodgers’ dominant 10-2 victory over the New York Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS, starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto spoke about his performance, the team’s approach, and the transition to pitching in the Major Leagues. The right-hander pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and keeping the Dodgers in control as they took a 3-1 lead in the series.
Yamamoto reflected on how he felt during the game, acknowledging some early struggles but expressing overall satisfaction with his outing. “I think that was pretty good, even though I gave up that first run of the game,” he said. Despite surrendering the homer to Mark Vientos, he quickly settled down and showcased his versatility, notably throwing his slider more frequently than in previous starts. “In terms of slider usage, that was because of the number of righties in the lineup today, so I used it a lot,” he explained.
The early offensive support, particularly from Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, provided Yamamoto with some comfort on the mound. Ohtani’s leadoff home run in the first inning set the tone, and Betts continued to add runs as the game progressed. “Those home runs gave me more comfortable run support and helped lead the game,” Yamamoto said. “After that, I kind of settled in and pitched in a more comfortable situation.”
Compared to his time pitching in Japan, where he was accustomed to working deep into games, Yamamoto has had to adjust to a different approach in the Major Leagues. In Japan, it wasn’t uncommon for him to throw over 130 pitches in a game, as he did during last year’s Japan Series. The current situation in Los Angeles, however, often sees pitchers exiting earlier with the bullpen ready to take over. “I don’t really think about the pitch count,” he said. “I just usually focus on one hitter at a time and then one inning at a time, so I didn’t really feel as much of a difference.”
As a rookie in the Major Leagues, Yamamoto has now pitched in three postseason games, and he discussed the value of that experience. “I think I could feel more comfortable and calm,” he noted. “But in the postseason, every game is kind of like a must-win situation, and all the hitters are really great.” The intensity and high stakes of playoff baseball have helped him continue to adapt to his new environment and refine his approach.
When asked about the differences between pitching in Japan and the Major Leagues, particularly in terms of bullpen usage, Yamamoto acknowledged the contrast. “In Japan, the starter usually tries to go deeper into the game, like six or seven innings, and then the relievers would come in,” he said. “But here, sometimes it’s the fourth or fifth inning when the relievers start coming in.” Despite the adjustments, he feels that he is “being able to work with them pretty well.”
Yoshinobu also shared his thoughts with the Japanese baseball media, expressing how rewarding it has been despite the intense nature of the games. He acknowledged the frequent high-pressure situations, saying, “There are so many thrilling moments, and as a player, I really feel a sense of fulfillment.” Regarding a pivotal third-inning challenge that overturned a call, Yamamoto noted its impact on the game’s momentum and emphasized the importance of quickly refocusing on the next batter. With the Dodgers now just one win away from the World Series, he expressed excitement and the team’s collective determination to secure the final victory.
Yamamoto’s performance, along with the support from the Dodgers’ offense and bullpen, put the team just one win away from the World Series. His ability to navigate through a challenging Mets lineup and deliver in critical moments was crucial for Los Angeles as they look to close out the series in Game 5.
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