The Los Angeles Dodgers needed to come away with a split before leaving Canada after losing Game 1 of the 2025 World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered when it mattered, throwing a complete game and allowing just four hits over 105 pitches in the Dodgers’ 5-1 win in Game 2 on Saturday. The performance marked his second straight complete game, both coming on the road in Milwaukee against the Brewers and in Toronto.
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Clayton Kershaw Talks Yoshinobu Yamamoto Performance
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
After the Game 2 win, Clayton Kershaw didn’t hold back his praise of how Yamamoto overcame adversity early on in his start as he settled in and cruised through the Blue Jays’ lineup.
“It was amazing,” Kershaw said postgame. “I think the most amazing part was him getting out of that first inning, first and third, nobody out, with [Vladimir Guerrero Jr.] up, and somehow manages to pitch himself out of that and then keep his pitch count down.
“We had an error in the second inning. We had traffic, guys on base, first three innings. Got out of all that. He did everything tonight. He was amazing. I mean, this team’s really good hitting team. So it was amazing.”
Why Did Yoshinobu Yamamoto Succeed Against the Blue Jays?
Moreover, Kershaw pinpointed what aspect of Yamamoto’s game allowed him to go the distance after a challenging start to his outing.
“He hit Springer, but other than that, he was pretty flawless,” Kershaw added. “I think even that pitch that Vladdy hit really hard was two feet inside. I think he was good all night.
“They’re coming out hot, a lot of energy, so they had a little bit of traffic there. And then the second there to start that ending. But once he started getting the lead-off guy out, it was perfect. It really was. It was perfect.”
