Yoshinobu Yamamoto's postseason prowess provides a distinct advantage for the Dodgers, especially when compared to opposing offensive threats. His ability to stifle hitters like Jake Bauers highlights why he remains a cornerstone of the Dodgers' pitching strategy.
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Jake Bauers v. Yoshinobu Yamamoto: A Breakdown
Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of the best pitchers, and one of the best postseason performers, in baseball. In Game 2 of last year's NLCS, Yamamoto mystified the Brewers offense, throwing 111 pitches en route to a complete-game victory. Less than two months ago, he went six innings and struck out nine in a game the Dodgers went on to win. Yesterday, in Game 2 of the 2026 NLCS, he couldn't make it through the third inning. It took Yamamoto 45 pitches to get through the order once. The second time around, he struck out leadoff man Jackson Chourio on three pitches, but the Brewers kept grinding. Brice Turang worked a six-pitch walk, then William Contreras flew out after battling for seven pitches. With Yamamoto at 61 pitches through 2 2/3 innings, Jake Bauers came to the plate and put together the best at-bat of the series, culminating in a 12-pitch walk. One batter later, Christian Yelich laced a single up the middle that forced Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to go to his bullpen in the third inning. Bauers' at-bat was a perfect microcosm of the Brewers' strategy against Yamamoto. Nobody in baseball is going to out-pitch Yamamoto over nine playoff innings, so the Brewers set out to make sure he never got the chance. Unlike last year's NLCS, when they were uncharacteristically happy to chase (and miss) pitches out of the zone, this time they tried to make him beat them in the strike zone.
October 13, 2026Yahoo Sports
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