A historic showdown awaits as Yamamoto and Darvish face off, making MLB postseason history with the first all-Japanese starting pitchers' matchup.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Division Series, going up against San Diego Padres’ right-hander Yu Darvish. It’s a matchup that fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has been eagerly looking forward to.
When Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Darvish face each other in a winner-takes-all game at Dodger Stadium this Friday night, it will be the first time two Japanese-born starting pitchers have met in MLB postseason history, as per ESPN Research.
“I think it’s a great thing that we’re able to go at it with each other in Game 5 of an NLDS,” Darvish said through his interpreter Shingo Horie, just hours before the announcement was made official. “At a personal level, really good friends with him, as well. And just for us to be able to go out there and pitch on the same day, a playoff game, I think it means a lot.”
The Dodgers specifically envisioned this type of game when they signed Yamamoto to a massive 12-year, $325 million contract last winter, making him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.
Earlier in the series, Ohtani was excited about the possibility of Yamamoto starting Game 2 against Darvish. However, the Dodgers shifted plans, choosing to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 1 instead.
In Game 2, Darvish allowed only one run and three singles over seven innings, leading the Padres to a 10-2 victory. He kept the Dodgers off-balance with a mix of seven pitches and varied speeds. Yamamoto and Darvish share a close friendship, and Darvish has been an idol to Ohtani since his childhood.
“Just for us to be able to go out there and pitch on the same day, a playoff game, I think it means a lot,” Darvish reiterated through his interpreter.
The last time Darvish pitched at Dodger Stadium in an elimination game was during the 2017 World Series, when he started Game 7 for the Dodgers against the Houston Astros. After just 47 pitches, the Astros had already taken a five-run lead and eventually won the championship.
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Yamamoto has struggled against the Padres this season, allowing 13 earned runs in three starts. In Game 1, the Padres quickly took control, scoring three runs off him in the first inning, including a two-run homer by Manny Machado.
On Thursday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially hinted that Yamamoto “will be a part of it” but didn’t reveal the Game 5 starter. The team later confirmed Yamamoto’s start.
The 26-year-old has struggled against the Padres this season, allowing 13 earned runs across three starts. In Game 1, the Padres got off to a hot start, scoring three runs, including a two-run homer by Manny Machado, in the first inning.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) revealed that his appearance in Wednesday’s lineup was more of a “gamesmanship” move, as he had no real intention of starting Game 4.
Freeman was seen doing extensive running and drills on the field Thursday. Roberts indicated that Freeman is expected to start in Game 5.
“With two days off — he didn’t try to get ready yesterday — he’s feeling better today with treatment,” Roberts explained.
As Yamamoto takes the mound for this pivotal Game 5, the Dodgers will be looking for a standout performance to secure their postseason run. All eyes will be on the Japanese pitchers as they make MLB history.
Image Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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