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Dodgers Vs. Rockies Game Preview: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Last Start

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Sep 16, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound Saturday for his final start of the regular season and with the Los Angeles Dodgers in position to clinch the top seed in the National League, which would coincide with securing the best record in baseball.

That would amount to the Dodgers clinching home-field advantage through the 2024 World Series. They need just one win over the next two days, or for the Philadelphia Phillies to lose one of their remaining games.

Perhaps of greater emphasis to the Dodgers is Yamamoto looking to build his innings base before next pitching in the NL Division Series.

The right-hander completed four innings in each of his first two starts off the 60-day injured list but regressed against the Colorado Rockies last week. Yamamoto completed just three innings and threw 79 pitches as he allowed four runs on five hits.

When Yamamoto faced the Rockies on June 1, he held them to just one run across seven innings. Saturday’s game is his first time pitching at Coors Field. It’s also the first time Yamamoto has faced the same opponent in consecutive starts.

Overall this season, Yamamoto is 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

The Rockies counter with Antonio Senzatela, who started opposite Yamamoto at Dodger Stadium last week. The outing was Senzatela’s second since returning from Tommy John surgery.

He allowed just one run over five innings and was in line for his first win since June 19, 2022. Senzatela ultimately settled for a no-decision as Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning that gave the Dodgers a walk-off win.

Prior to the game, the Dodgers recalled Justin Wrobleski and optioned Ben Casparius.

Dodgers lineup

DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: Teoscar Hernández
3B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
SS: Tommy Edman
1B: Kiké Hernández
CF: Kevin Kiermaier

Rockies lineup

DH: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Ezequiel Tovar
3B: Ryan McMahon
2B: Brendan Rodgers
LF: Nolan Jones
1B: Michael Toglia
CF: Sam Hilliard
RF: Jake Cave
C: Hunter Goodman

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com