How is Yoshinobu Yamamoto doing this? Dodgers left speechless by $325 million man
- - How is Yoshinobu Yamamoto doing this? Dodgers left speechless by $325 million man
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY October 25, 2025 at 10:56 PM
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TORONTO — Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw leaned back against his locker Saturday trying to describe what he just witnessed.
He has three Cy Young awards and two World Series championships.
He has won an MVP award, made 11 All-Star Games, won five Cy Young titles and a Gold Glove, too.
But never, ever in his 18-year career, did he ever see what teammate Yoshinobu Yamamato accomplished Saturday night, going where no man has gone in 33 years.
Yamamoto, after pitching a four-hit complete game and retiring the last 20 batters he faced in the Dodgers’ 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays to even the World Series at one-game apiece, may have just changed the future of baseball.
He just brought back a golden age of pitching.
In one glorious night, Yamamoto became the first pitcher since Curt Schilling of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 to throw consecutive complete games in the postseason, with Atlanta’s Tom Glavine the last to do it including a World Series game.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a complete game in Game 2.
He was the first pitcher to end a World Series game by retiring 20 consecutive batters since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956, and only the second in 99 years, dating back to Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1926.
And he was the first Dodgers pitcher to strike out at least eight batters without a walk in a World Series complete game since Sandy Koufax in 1963.
“There’s not enough adjectives, superlatives, anything you want to say," Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “To do it in back-to-back starts, in less than 110 pitches, it’s amazing."
So now he knows what the boys must have felt like a century ago when Alexander and Cy Young were pitching?
Or maybe back even further.
“Maybe we got our own new Old Hoss (Radbourn)," Freeman said.
Well, it’s safe to say we’ll never see the Dodgers let Yamamoto throw at least 425 innings for six consecutive seasons like Old Hoss, let alone 678 innings back in 1884 – but you get the idea.
Considering that no pitcher had thrown a complete game in the World Series since Johnny Cueto in 2015, did Kershaw imagine that he’d ever see the feat?
“I don’t think anybody could have predicted that," Kershaw said. “But you know, maybe it’s a sign of where baseball should, and will get back to. I think it’s always fun to have great starting pitching matchups, and to see him go deep into games, maybe this gives some people some ideas for the future, hopefully."
Considering the way Yoshinobu was pitching, retiring the last 20 batters he faced with complete ease, his pitch count of 105 pitches was as irrelevant as the number of sunflower seeds spit onto the Rogers Centre field.
“The way Yosh is throwing right now and the way we’re built right now," Kershaw said, “he could throw 150 pitches if he wants. …
“I just think the way he throws the baseball is like perfect. No wasted movement. So efficient. He came here with a fastball, curveball, split and now he’s throwing sinkers, cutters, sliders. So, he’s got six pitches with command that he uses really well."
Yes, there’s a reason why he was the most coveted free agent pitcher two years ago before signing a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers.
They wouldn't have won the World Series without him a year ago.
And they’re not in position for a repeat this year without him going 3-1 with a 1.57 ERA in the postseason..
Since giving up five runs in the first three innings of his postseason debut a year ago, he is yielding a 1.62 ERA, striking out 40 batters over 44 ⅓ innings, with the Dodgers going 6-1 in his starts.
When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn’t stop with the praise.
“Outstanding, uber competitive, special,’’ Roberts said. “It was one of those things he said before the series, losing is not an option, and he had that look tonight."
The Blue Jays, who came out swinging at the first six pitches they saw, with George Springer opening with a double and Nathan Lukes following with a single, thought they were on him.
Nope.
They not only failed to hit the ball out of the infield the rest of the inning but managed only two hits the rest of the game.
The Blue Jays looked absolutely clueless.
“He was unbelievable," Springer said. “He did what he does best. ... He showed why he is who he is. …
“Just one of those situations where a very, very elite guy had a great game."
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fsNsN..RjFvJbRwK0DI5bw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/505d268cb57e5d7322863d3219c3dfbc class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fsNsN..RjFvJbRwK0DI5bw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/505d268cb57e5d7322863d3219c3dfbc class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches in the first inning of Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n0g6kyhqbQT2qpAqSG2Z8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a91f743ea40ce5d206a018c8a04dc3d9 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches in the first inning of Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches in the first inning of Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n0g6kyhqbQT2qpAqSG2Z8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a91f743ea40ce5d206a018c8a04dc3d9 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/P69hXTF36RqF4gt36GQZyg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1e564f1e5fc139c1576aa40d42152100 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/P69hXTF36RqF4gt36GQZyg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1e564f1e5fc139c1576aa40d42152100 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the ninth inning o Game 2
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yAkv6MiXWxGMfOYnP23byQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dbeb30f27fb4f97ea8520a98d1bd7f06 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the ninth inning o Game 2
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the ninth inning o Game 2
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yAkv6MiXWxGMfOYnP23byQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dbeb30f27fb4f97ea8520a98d1bd7f06 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cr6sNSU1pamRISIYygKG1Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f30383df5a68bf29c6b1072358694d3f class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/cr6sNSU1pamRISIYygKG1Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f30383df5a68bf29c6b1072358694d3f class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto is greeted in the dugout between innings in Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o9Y50trXf1TzADC_b_LGKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8f8bde28c5e59381a2d5c4454abbacda class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is greeted in the dugout between innings in Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto is greeted in the dugout between innings in Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o9Y50trXf1TzADC_b_LGKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8f8bde28c5e59381a2d5c4454abbacda class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fLiIuYtB5iy85AosNrY1cg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ca3adaa422d752f4ad366c9a40fa781 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fLiIuYtB5iy85AosNrY1cg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ca3adaa422d752f4ad366c9a40fa781 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a pitch in the ninth inning.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M60HAvZOE0lfJGZqqNfmvw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cc6964cb65b322d0dc3b68217914f31d class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a pitch in the ninth inning.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a pitch in the ninth inning.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M60HAvZOE0lfJGZqqNfmvw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cc6964cb65b322d0dc3b68217914f31d class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto and third baseman Max Muncy ater the final out of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TubfO3BwP8POALQca2xI2w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/37190769fb65650553394e350bfb1078 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and third baseman Max Muncy ater the final out of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto and third baseman Max Muncy ater the final out of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TubfO3BwP8POALQca2xI2w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/37190769fb65650553394e350bfb1078 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto interviewed on the field after Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/O9VKXmzER1x13j4Cuai6Dw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7ac66b854dcc9f0409c58e19b83492d class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto interviewed on the field after Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto interviewed on the field after Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/O9VKXmzER1x13j4Cuai6Dw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7ac66b854dcc9f0409c58e19b83492d class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto watches a ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger in the fourth inning of Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_xehX7TRD2qovL8fV2IODQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0f58d3b8bd6b6ec5564a88667141fa76 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto watches a ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger in the fourth inning of Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto watches a ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger in the fourth inning of Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_xehX7TRD2qovL8fV2IODQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0f58d3b8bd6b6ec5564a88667141fa76 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EXHf21Z_d17NXpiQU0i09A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0e69fd185cdec18c12f2e07b71a3a913 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates the final out of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EXHf21Z_d17NXpiQU0i09A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0e69fd185cdec18c12f2e07b71a3a913 class=caas-img>Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fifth inning of World Series Game 2.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CoMGSYGI753gRXSbX5REjQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a465c6a90ae3c9600be9cc75608d7392 class=caas-img data-headline="See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win" data-caption="
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fifth inning of World Series Game 2.
">Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fifth inning of World Series Game 2.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CoMGSYGI753gRXSbX5REjQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a465c6a90ae3c9600be9cc75608d7392 class=caas-img>
1 / 13See Yoshinobu Yamamoto's World Series masterpiece in Dodgers Game 2 win
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and catcher Will Smith celebrate the final out of World Series Game 2.
Yamamoto was so dominant that after Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly in the third inning, Yamamoto allowed only three balls to leave the infield the rest of the game.
“My pitching style is just keep attacking the zone," Yamamoto said.
The Dodgers bullpen spent the entire game just soaking in the atmosphere, with Rōki Sasaki only warming up in the ninth inning.
“I mean, he could have went another 30, 40 pitches tonight," Roberts said.
And even at 140 pitches, he still would be better than anyone else the Dodgers could have brought in from the bullpen.
Yamamoto is built for this moment. He may be only in his second year pitching in the major leagues, but he was a star in Japan, Eiji Sawamura Award three times before setting foot in LA.
“He’s pitched in huge ball games in Japan," Roberts said. “He's pitched in the WBC. Players that have the weight of a country on their shoulders, that's pressure.
“So, I just feel that part of his DNA is to just perform at a high level in big spots and control his heartbeat and just continue to make pitches.’’
The only time Yamamoto was in the least bit of trouble was in the first inning when he threw 23 pitches, and then he never broke a sweat the rest of the game.
“It’s amazing," Freeman said. “As he was going along in the fifth, sixth, seventh, I was just thinking about how poised and how he was in control of the game, and what he was trying to do ... He just throws it whenever he wants. He sets up hitters, understands hitters’ swings and he’s just incredible.’’
And when he takes the ball to start the game, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior says, he expects to finish it.
“I love it," Roberts said. “I love feeling that the starter is the best option to go six, seven, eight [innings], and what Yamamoto is doing, nine innings. You got to be efficient, you got to have the weapons to be able to take down a lineup three times, four times, whatever it is, and you got to want to do it.
“So he is a throwback player. It's a lot of fun to root for a guy, and you feel good about leaving a guy like that in.’’
Yamamoto, who has easily become baseball’s most dominant pitcher this entire postseason, is scheduled to start Game 6 back in Toronto.
The Blue Jays believe that after seeing Yamamoto for the first time, they’ll be more prepared.
One little problem, as the Dodgers cautioned leaving the clubhouse.
The way they’re pitching, and with the next three games back at Dodger Stadium, there may not be a Game 6.
“That’s our hope," Freeman said.
Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yoshinobu Yamamoto contract is why Dodgers are in 2025 World Series
Source: “AOL Sports”
