Yoshinobu Yamamato was named 2025 World Series MVP for his contributions against the Toronto Blue Jays that helped the Los Angeles Dodgers repeat as champions.
The right-hander posted a 1.02 ERA and 0.68 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against two walks in 17.2 innings across three appearances (two starts).
Yamamoto went the distance in Game 2 and then earned the win in two consecutive elimination matchups at Rogers Centre. He tossed 2.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen in the winner-take-all Game 7 just one day after throwing six innings.
Yamamoto’s efforts were nothing short of heroic, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts compared them to those of Walker Buehler against the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series.
“Yeah, similarities,” Roberts said. “Walker is obviously in Dodger lore, and Yoshi put himself right there with him, you know, throwing 100 pitches and come back without a day off and going three innings. It’s pretty crazy.
“I’m kind of crazy for sending him back out there. But I just felt he was the best option. And, again, it’s something that I just never imagined, but you got to trust players, and I believed in him, we all believed in him.
“Again, I’m having a hard time unpacking it. Just what a great series, what a great game, and I think we’re going to be talking about this game for a long time.”
Buehler threw five scoreless innings against the Yankees in Game 3 of the 2024 World Series, and then two days later, recorded the final three outs to help the Dodgers capture their eighth championship in franchise history.
Buehler put the team on his back much like Yamamoto did this year, and the two will forever have a place in Dodgers postseason lore for their respective performances.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto named Cy Young Award finalist
Yamamoto was named a finalist for the 2025 National League Cy Young Award, along with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Yamamoto went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA across 30 starts during the regular season. He is the Dodgers’ first Cy Young Award finalist since Julio Urías in 2022.
The 2025 Cy Young Award winners in both leagues will be announced live on MLB Network on Wednesday, Nov. 12, beginning at 4 p.m. PT.
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