The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Yoshinobu Yamamoto is starting Game 5 of the National League Division Series. Their decision was revealed several hours after manager Dave Roberts said the team was still evaluating their options.
A bullpen game also remained a possibility after their impressive performance during Game 4. Jack Flaherty was deemed a possibility by Roberts as well.
But the likelihood all along was that Yamamoto would at minimum play a significant role in the Dodgers’ pitching plan for the winner-take-all matchup against the San Diego Padres.
“How Yoshinobu is a part of it, we’re still talking through it,” Roberts said during the Dodgers’ workout. “I think the main variable is seeing our guys go out there today, play catch, see how they feel, which will give us a little bit more information on ultimately who takes the brunt of the game, who starts the game.”
Another possibility the Dodgers considered was using an opener in front of Yamamoto. Roberts said the right-hander was willing to pitch out of the bullpen if the team felt it was the best course of action.
Heading into the NLDS, the Dodgers made a change to have Yamamoto start Game 1 and Flaherty take the ball in Game 2 so that both would be available if the series went the distance.
Flaherty also was among the pitchers who spent Game 4 in the Dodgers bullpen.
“He was a late option if something funky happened, guys weren’t as efficient as possible,” Roberts said after the Dodgers staved off elimination while making franchise postseason history in the process.
“But now he’s alive for Game 5 as well.”
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Padres
Yamamoto allowed five runs over just three innings in Game 1, which the Dodgers were able to mount a comeback in. The Dodgers were looking into the possibility he was tipping pitches, but Roberts said they’ve “cleaned some things up” in that regard.
Flaherty provided more length by pitching 5.1 innings, but that came with giving up four runs in a blowout loss.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers bullpen is in the midst of 15 consecutive scoreless innings and has continued to be a strength for the team into October.
The Padres are starting Yu Darvish on Friday night for his fifth career postseason elimination game and third in a winner-or-go-home scenario.
Yamamoto and Darvish make for the first time in MLB history Japanese-born starting pitchers are taking the mound in the same playoff game.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
