LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani will have the opportunity to witness a significant moment in baseball history as his Los Angeles Dodgers teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, faces San Diego’s Yu Darvish during Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Darvish is set to start for the Padres in this decisive matchup on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. This game comes after a 12-minute delay caused by fans throwing objects onto the field during Game 2 last week.
“I’m really excited that he’s going to perhaps be facing Yoshinobu and being able to see Darvish potentially,” Ohtani expressed through an interpreter. This game marks the first time two Japanese-born starting pitchers will meet in Major League Baseball postseason history.
Ohtani had been looking forward to this matchup earlier in the series when Yamamoto was originally slated to start Game 2 against Darvish, but the Dodgers opted to move him to Game 1 instead. Darvish had impressive performance in Game 2, allowing only one run on three hits over seven innings and perplexing Dodgers hitters with a mix of seven different pitches.
“Just for us to be able to go out there and pitch on the same day, a playoff game, I think it means a lot,” Darvish noted.
The 38-year-old Darvish last pitched at Dodger Stadium in an elimination game during the 2017 World Series, where he struggled in Game 7 against the Houston Astros. Reflecting on that experience, he said, “I don’t go focus on that time… But maybe it is the experience that I have accumulated up until today that’s making me feel calm right now.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had not initially named a starter earlier in the day, later confirming that Yamamoto would pitch. The right-hander has faced challenges against the Padres during the season, yielding 13 earned runs in three starts. Notably, in Game 1, he surrendered three runs, including a two-run homer by Manny Machado, in the first inning.
“It’s just a lack of command. When he hasn’t commanded the baseball, he hasn’t been really that good,” Roberts explained. “But when he’s convicted and ripping it and attacking hitters with his pitch mix, he’s as good as anyone.”
Yamamoto, 26, is currently the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers in December. Ohtani joined the team earlier that month with an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million deal.
In a crucial Game 4, the Dodgers utilized eight relievers to secure an 8-0 victory, setting the stage for a thrilling finale against their rivals. Roberts mentioned that six or seven relievers would be available for Game 5.
Padres manager Mike Shildt remained unfazed by the Dodgers’ strategic moves, comparing his team’s straightforward approach to that of football legend Vince Lombardi, emphasizing their readiness to compete.
On the injury front, Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas will not be in the starting lineup for Game 5 but could be available for a pinch hit. Tommy Edman will take his place. Additionally, the Dodgers anticipate welcoming back All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was a late scratch for Game 4 due to a sprained right ankle. Roberts noted that Freeman is feeling significantly improved after treatment.