Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines in the World Series as the Dodgers' 2-0 lead takes on significance

LOS ANGELES – Before he moved to Major League Baseball and became the highest-paid pitcher in the history of the sport, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was a subject of fascination for years. His training methods were idiosyncratic. His track record in Japan was one of dominance. His diminutive stature throughout the game awed executives, who marveled at his ability to manipulate a baseball.

On the biggest stage of his baseball life, the 1.75 meter tall right-hander was the tallest. Yamamoto dominated the New York Yankees in the World Series, delivered the best start of his rookie season and brought the Los Angeles Dodgers to within two wins of a title.

“He was created for these moments,” said Teoscar Hernández. “He did it in Japan before he came here, and as soon as he got here he did it here.”

“He was absolutely thrilled,” said Kiké Hernández.

Yamamoto gave up one hit, a solo home run to slugger Juan Soto, over 6 1/3 innings in the 4-2 win. For one night at least, he looked exactly like the man the Dodgers envisioned winning their postseason games as they dreamed of a 12-year future with the Japanese star.

Catcher Will Smith and manager Dave Roberts congratulate Yoshinobu Yamamoto on his departure in the seventh inning. (Harry How/Getty Images)

What happened after Yamamoto left the mound only underscored how important it was for the Dodgers' $325 million man to reach those heights Saturday night. Shohei Ohtani attempted to steal second base in the seventh inning and ended up on the infield dirt in noticeable pain after partially dislocating his left shoulder.

The injury immediately threatened the Dodgers' stronghold in the series. There is no longer a feared hitter in baseball's most dangerous lineup. There is no player who has a more direct impact on the Dodgers' bottom line and box score than Ohtani.

Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers were “encouraged” by their initial strength and movement testing with Ohtani. The designated hitter will undergo testing on Sunday to determine if there is further damage to his non-throwing shoulder. Roberts added that he “expected him to be in the lineup.”

If Ohtani is out, it opens a window for a Yankees club to narrow the gap on the Dodgers' slim lineup advantage. Soto was by far New York's deadliest weapon. Yamamoto neutralized Giancarlo Stanton, who had a standout performance in October, in three attacks. Nearly every opponent Aaron Judge has faced this October has effectively kept the presumptive American League MVP at bay. Judge struck out three times in four at-bats Saturday, including twice against Yamamoto.

Yamamoto got the Dodgers off to a good start with his dominance on Saturday, showing something he hadn't done since his last meeting with this Yankees club in June. An injury halted his progress this summer when a right rotator cuff strain put nights like this at risk. In Game 2, entering the sixth inning for the first time since that night, he was held scoreless for seven at Yankee Stadium. His first fastball reached 98 mph and consistently stayed in the mid-90s. Yamamoto gained his fastball command as the night progressed. He was willing to use his slider against guys like Judge and Stanton. His splinter danced all night long.

“Everything worked well today,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda.

Yamamoto limited himself to one mistake. While Soto got a two-strike count in the third inning, Yamamoto ripped a fastball intended for the bottom outside corner and left it belt-high above the plate. Soto, seemingly carrying the Yankees lineup himself in Game 2, destroyed it with a 386-foot home run to right.

Yamamoto did not allow another baserunner.

“I would say that this start was probably a little better for me in the sense that we didn't have to deal with Soto at Yankee Stadium either,” Roberts said, referring to Soto missing that June game due to injury. “Obviously he was fantastic on that stage tonight.”

“I’m just really proud of him for where he started and where he is now,” Mookie Betts said.

The Yankees entered the series with what appeared to be a clear starting pitching advantage. The Dodgers managed to quell that through two nights in Los Angeles, securing a win in Game 1 after Gerrit Cole allowed just one run in six innings (Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty managed 5 1/3 innings and allowed only two runs to) and hunted for another nine. He was the starter with Carlos Rodón before he even finished the fourth inning on Saturday.

The Yankees' advantage, on paper, should be greater in Games 3 and 4, where they will start Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil; The Dodgers will counter with Walker Buehler and a bullpen game after giving Blake Treinen (55 pitches), Michael Kopech (24 pitches), Anthony Banda (32 pitches) and Alex Vesia (17 pitches) two outings in the first game of the series demanded two games.

What Yamamoto has done with Flaherty is to secure the Dodgers' strong position – they lead the series 2-0 no matter what.

(Top photo by Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)