The Dodgers' rotation is on fire, and Yamamoto's performance has everyone talking! Here's why:
A historic outing in the making:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on an incredible run this postseason, and their starting pitchers are making history. In just eight games, they've nearly matched the innings pitched by their starters during their entire 2024 championship journey. But here's where it gets wild: Yamamoto's recent performance has everyone buzzing.
A Rare Complete Game:
Yamamoto's complete game is a rarity in modern baseball, especially in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs. His feat was the first of its kind since Justin Verlander's masterpiece against the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS. And get this—it's the Dodgers' first complete game in the postseason since 2004, courtesy of Jose Lima. But wait, there's more! Yamamoto is the first Japanese-born pitcher to achieve this in a postseason game, adding an international twist to the story.
Back-to-Back Brilliance:
Following Snell's impressive start, Yamamoto's performance becomes even more remarkable. The Dodgers are the first team in six years to have back-to-back starts of eight innings or more in the postseason. This feat was last achieved by the Giants in 2016, with Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto leading the charge. And it's been a while since the Dodgers themselves did this in consecutive games of the same series—all the way back to the 2010 World Series with Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum.
A Blast from the Past:
But that's not all. The Dodgers' consecutive eight-inning starts in the postseason hark back to a golden era. You have to rewind to 1988 to find the last time they achieved this, with Orel Hershiser and Tim Belcher dominating the NLCS.
A Dominant Force:
Yamamoto's dominance is further highlighted by an incredible stat. He didn't allow a single opponent to bat with a runner in scoring position, a feat last seen in Roy Halladay's legendary no-hitter in 2010. In the past two decades, only Jon Garland has achieved this in the 2005 ALCS.
Overcoming Adversity:
And Yamamoto's achievement becomes even more impressive when you consider he allowed a leadoff homer. Only three other pitchers in postseason history have done this and still thrown a complete game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Yamamoto joins an exclusive club with Johnny Antonelli, Johnny Beazley, and Babe Adams. But here's the twist—Yamamoto and Antonelli are the only ones who didn't allow any other runs.
Breaking the Regular Season Curse:
The Dodgers' regular season was devoid of complete games, but they've shattered that trend in the postseason. They're just the second team to achieve this, alongside the 2016 Blue Jays. However, Toronto's complete game was an eight-inning affair in a losing effort. The Dodgers are the first to do it in a winning game, making their accomplishment even sweeter.
Defensive Mastery:
The Dodgers' defense has been equally impressive, allowing a mere five hits in the series so far. This ties them with the 1906 Cubs for the second-fewest hits allowed in the first two games of a postseason series. Only the 2019 Nationals allowed fewer, with just four hits surrendered in the NLCS.
Unbeatable ERA:
Dodgers starters have been untouchable, boasting a minuscule 1.54 ERA in this postseason. This is the lowest ERA by any rotation with at least 30 innings pitched in their first eight games since the 2012 Tigers. Only three other teams in history have achieved a lower ERA in their first eight games, making the Dodgers' performance truly exceptional.
And this is the part most people miss—the Dodgers are rewriting the record books with every pitch. Will they continue this incredible streak? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure—this team is making history, and it's a thrilling ride for baseball fans everywhere.
