When the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their postseason campaign in 2025, all eyes were on one man: Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The 26-year-old right-hander, who has already earned the tag of staff ace in just his sophomore Major League season, delivered a performance that not only silenced the Cincinnati Reds but also reignited Dodger Stadium with October electricity.
His 6 2/3 innings of brilliance, highlighted by nine strikeouts and a Houdini-like escape from a bases-loaded jam, proved why manager Dave Roberts trusted him to close out the Wild Card Series. And as the reigning World Series champions punched their ticket to the NL Division Series against the Phillies, Yamamoto stood tall as the heartbeat of a team hungry for back-to-back titles.
A Star Born for October
Postseason baseball has a way of revealing who thrives under the spotlight and who fades. Yamamoto, whose signing with the Dodgers last year set records with a 12-year, $325 million contract, has never shied away from pressure.
Fans wondered if the Japanese superstar could translate his Nippon Professional Baseball dominance into Major League postseason magic. By now, the question feels almost silly.
He has now tossed back-to-back playoff starts allowing no more than one earned run — the first Dodger to achieve that feat since Walker Buehler in 2020. More importantly, he has done it with a mix of precision, stamina, and unflappable confidence that makes every batter look uncomfortable.
As Yamamoto himself said after the win, through his interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda:
“As a starting pitcher, my job is getting as deep into the game as possible. Tonight, I just wanted to bring everything I had for the team.”
The Sixth Inning: A Defining Moment
Every legendary playoff performance has its defining sequence. For Yamamoto, it came in the sixth inning.
The Reds loaded the bases with no outs — a nightmare scenario in any playoff game. The noise inside Dodger Stadium spiked with nervous tension. Fans braced for the worst.
But Yamamoto didn’t blink.
- He induced a ground ball from Austin Hays, leading to a force-out at the plate thanks to quick fielding by Mookie Betts, who continues to thrive in his unusual shortstop role.
- He then turned to pure dominance, fanning Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz on high-octane fastballs and sweeping off-speed pitches.
The roar Yamamoto let out as he walked off the mound matched the eruption from the Dodger faithful. In one inning, he transformed a looming disaster into an unforgettable highlight reel.
Roberts’ Trust Rewarded
Manager Dave Roberts has often been criticized for quick hooks in October, but this time he put his faith in his ace. Despite throwing a career-high 113 pitches, Yamamoto got two outs in the seventh before exiting to a standing ovation.
The choice to ride him deep into the game spoke volumes about the Dodgers’ reliance on their starting rotation — once seen as a weakness, now their greatest strength.
Just one night earlier, Blake Snell had gone seven strong innings. Yamamoto matched that excellence, proving that the Dodgers are equipped with multiple arms capable of carrying them through October.
Dodger Offense Does Its Part
Of course, no playoff victory happens without run support. The Dodgers’ offense, which has led the league in nearly every major category, didn’t disappoint. They poured in eight runs, capitalizing on Reds mistakes and timely hitting.
Key contributors included:
- Freddie Freeman, who set the tone with a first-inning double.
- Shohei Ohtani, whose bat continues to terrify opposing pitchers.
- Teoscar Hernández, who redeemed an early fielding error with a two-run shot later in the game.
With balance up and down the lineup, the Dodgers looked every bit like the defending champions they are.
The Bigger Picture: Title Defense Mode
The Dodgers have been clear about their mission since spring training: anything less than another World Series title would be a disappointment.
Roberts put it bluntly after the game:
“I think we can win it all. I think we’re equipped to do that. We have the pedigree, the hunger, and we’re playing great baseball. I don’t care who we play — we just want to be the last team standing.”
That hunger is visible in every pitch Yamamoto throws. And with him leading the charge, the Dodgers are more than just contenders — they’re favorites.
Yamamoto’s Season in Context
It’s easy to forget that this was only Yamamoto’s second season in MLB. Yet he already looks like a veteran workhorse.
- 30 starts
- 173 2/3 innings pitched
- 2.49 ERA
- No missed turns in a six-man rotation
Durability and consistency have been his trademarks. In a year when many pitchers went down with injuries, Yamamoto stood tall as the Dodgers’ most reliable arm.
Moreover, his international résumé — Japan Series champion, World Baseball Classic gold medalist, Olympic gold medalist, and three-time Sawamura Award winner — gave fans a preview of what he could bring to Los Angeles. Now, he’s adding MLB playoff heroics to that glittering list.
Looking Ahead: NLDS vs Phillies
The reward for dispatching the Reds? A date with the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. Citizens Bank Park is one of the toughest venues for visiting teams, and the Phillies lineup is stacked with power.
But with Yamamoto, Snell, and a rejuvenated rotation, the Dodgers have more than enough to match up. If the offense continues firing, Los Angeles could be well on its way to becoming the first team in 25 years to repeat as World Series champions.
Final Thoughts
Baseball is a team sport, but sometimes one player embodies the spirit of October. For the 2025 Dodgers, that player is Yoshinobu Yamamoto. His mix of calm under fire, electric stuff, and relentless competitiveness gave fans a night they’ll remember for years.
As the Dodgers move into the NLDS, the narrative is clear: their ace has arrived, their rotation is steady, and their championship window is wide open.
Two down. Eleven to go.