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Dodgers feel good with postseason ace Yamamoto set for Game 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers are pinning their hopes on ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to turn around their postseason series after a tough opening loss. Yamamoto, who has been a dominant force in October, boasts a 9-1 record in postseason starts and is undefeated in six road appearances.

His track record includes a complete-game shutout in the 2023 NLCS and another in the World Series, where he became the first pitcher since Curt Schilling to deliver back-to-back complete postseason games. With a career postseason ERA of 2.24 and a WHIP of 0.83—ranking among the best in MLB history—Yamamoto’s presence alone has historically shifted momentum for the Dodgers, who are counting on him to repeat his magic in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday evening.

Despite a strong rotation featuring Tarik Skubal and Julio Urías, Yamamoto remains the team’s most reliable arm, especially after a loss, where his ERA drops to an elite 1.23 in limited appearances. However, the Dodgers will need more than just Yamamoto’s dominance; their offense must capitalize on scoring opportunities to sustain pressure, as they’ve struggled to break through in high-leverage situations despite applying consistent offensive pressure throughout the series.

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