Dodgers’ $375 Million Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines in World Series Game 2 Win

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched like a million bucks for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series, just like they needed him to in order to bounce back from a blowout loss the day before, and square up the best-of-seven set.

Yamamoto actually pitched more like 375 million bucks, roughly the commitment paid or owed by the Dodgers in fees and salary in order to pry him away from the Orix Buffaloes of Japan’s Pacific League before the 2024 season. Yamamoto's deal in Major League Baseball makes him, literally, the most expensive pitcher ever.

The Dodgers must be OK with having gone to the expense, considering Yamamoto already helped them win the World Series in '24, that he finished fourth in the majors in ERA this past regular season, and with him compiling an impressive track record over eight career postseason appearances so far.

No matter how anyone characterizes Yamamoto's price tag, he was the driving force in L.A.'s 5-1 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on Saturday night.

Eleven days after throwing a complete game to finish off the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, he performed almost identically as well against the Jays. Yamamoto pitched a four-hitter, walking none, hitting a batter (unlucky George Springer) and striking out eight. He retired his final 20 batters and finished having thrown 105 pitches, meaning Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had no excuses to even glance at his bullpen, much less undo any of the deadbolt locks on the gate.

His complete game was the first in the World Series since Kansas City Royals righty Johnny Cueto in 2015, and Yamamoto is the first individual since Curt Schilling 24 years ago to pitch back-to-back complete games in the postseason. Schilling actually did it in three straight games. If Yamamoto is able to equal Schilling in this Series, the Dodgers are likely to get another championship parade. The Jays and Dodgers resume with Game 3 on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

The Blue Jays, competing in the World Series for the first time in 32 years, hoped to continue their hitting dominance from Game 1 when they blitzed Dodgers pitchers for 11 runs. They put the first two batters aboard in the bottom of the first against Yamamoto, kept working counts against him, and made him throw 23 pitches -- but Toronto couldn't score any runs.

"That was probably our best chance," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "After that, he made it hard for us to make him work."

Yamamoto generated 17 swings-and-misses, with his most effective pitch probably being the curveball, among the six different kinds of pitches he threw.

Jays righty Kevin Gausman matched Yamamoto until the top of the seventh, when the Dodgers lineup succeeded the third time around. Will Smith broke a 1-1 tie with a solo home run and, with two outs, Max Muncy went opposite field with another solo shot to make it 3-1.

The Dodgers added two more runs against Toronto's bullpen to give Yamamoto more cushion than he would need. Yamamoto struck out the side in the eighth before Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho put the ball in play but to no avail in the ninth.

Yamamoto wanted to set things right for the Dodgers after Toronto's lineup dominated Game 1.

"That's a big loss, and then needless to say, today's game, we had to win," Yamamoto said.

He might have surprised even himself in finishing off the Jays, considering his first inning struggles.

"To be honest, I was not thinking I can complete the game because my pitch count racked up kind of quickly," Yamamoto said. "But I'm very happy I completed the game."

Performances like this should no longer surprise anyone. No matter if it's in MLB or NPB, Yamamoto repeatedly has demonstrated an aptitude to pitch in the biggest games no matter the league, country or hemisphere.

He's a man of the world, the most expensive pitcher in it and, so far, worth every bit of his contract.