The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t get the ideal start they were hoping for from Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the San Diego Padres. Despite Yamamoto’s struggles on the mound, the Dodgers managed to pull out a victory. However, his shaky postseason debut raised some concerns, especially after he was pulled from the game after just three innings.
Yamamoto’s performance was far from his usual standard. Over three innings, the pitcher gave up five hits, five earned runs, and two walks while managing just one strikeout. It was a tough first MLB playoff appearance for the Japanese ace, who had been one of the most anticipated international signings in recent memory.
His Dodgers teammate, Shohei Ohtani, speculated that part of Yamamoto’s struggles could be attributed to the challenges of getting loose for the first game of a high-pressure playoff series, particularly when the intensity is at its peak.
During the postgame press conference, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed why Yamamoto was pulled early. “I thought there were some misses, I just felt that there was stress. I just thought that they were seeing him well,” Roberts said when asked about the decision. Roberts went on to admit that he believed Yamamoto was tipping his pitches, particularly to runners on second base, which may have contributed to the Padres’ ability to anticipate his next move.
“There are some things that I think we’re going to dig into,” Roberts explained. “I think at second base, they had some things with his glove and were picking up on his pitches. So we’re going to clean that up. That’s part of baseball, and it’s on us to make sure he’s not giving away what pitch he’s going to throw.”
RELATED: Padres Take Steps to Block Dodgers Fans from Buying NLDS Tickets at Petco Park
Roberts’ observation appeared to align with the sequence of events in Game 1. With runners in scoring position, Yamamoto gave up key hits, including a home run, a double, and a walk, all while a Padres runner occupied second base.
The Padres seemed to have figured out some of Yamamoto’s tendencies, allowing them to capitalize on key opportunities.
Despite Yamamoto’s rough start, Roberts made it clear that he still has faith in the 25-year-old pitcher. When asked if Yamamoto would get another shot on the mound in a potential Game 5 of the NLDS, Roberts replied confidently, “He’ll probably start.”
Yamamoto, one of the most celebrated pitchers from Japan, had come into the MLB with high expectations, and while his debut didn’t go as planned, it’s clear the Dodgers are not giving up on him just yet. With some adjustments, particularly in making sure he’s not tipping his pitches, Roberts believes Yamamoto can bounce back and contribute to the team’s postseason success.
As the series progresses, Yamamoto will likely have another opportunity to prove himself, and the Dodgers will be counting on him to deliver.
His ability to adapt and make the necessary adjustments will be critical, as the team hopes to go deep into the playoffs and compete for another World Series title.
