LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is set to witness an exciting matchup as his Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto squares off against San Diego’s Yu Darvish in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. The winner-take-all game is scheduled for Friday night at Dodger Stadium, where a previous game saw a 12-minute delay due to fans throwing items onto the field.
Ohtani expressed his enthusiasm about the anticipated duel, saying, “I’m really excited that he’s going to perhaps be facing Yoshinobu and being able to see Darvish potentially,” as he spoke through an interpreter. This game marks the first-ever postseason confrontation between Japanese-born starting pitchers in Major League Baseball history.
Originally, Ohtani had hoped for this matchup earlier in the series when Yamamoto was meant to start in Game 2 against Darvish. However, the Dodgers opted to rearrange their rotation, placing Yamamoto in Game 1 instead. In Game 2, Darvish delivered a strong performance, allowing just one run and three hits over seven innings, leading the Padres to a 10-2 victory while utilizing a diverse pitching strategy.
“This is a significant moment for us to pitch on the same day in a playoff game,” Darvish shared through an interpreter, highlighting the friendship between him and Yamamoto, while also acknowledging Ohtani’s admiration for him during his childhood.
Previously, Darvish pitched in an elimination game at Dodger Stadium during the 2017 World Series. Reflecting on that experience, he noted, “I don’t focus on that time,” but acknowledged that his accumulated experience contributes to his current calmness.
Before confirming Yamamoto as the starter, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated on Thursday that he would be included in the plans. Yamamoto has struggled against the Padres this season, surrendering a total of 13 earned runs across three starts, including a challenging Game 1 where he allowed three runs in the first inning.
Roberts noted, “It’s just lack of command. When he hasn’t commanded the baseball, he hasn’t been really that good.” However, he expressed confidence in Yamamoto’s potential when he is focused and assertive on the mound.
At 26, Yamamoto stands as the highest-paid pitcher in the majors after signing a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers, following Ohtani’s record-setting $700 million contract with the team just weeks prior. Following Game 1, doubts were raised about potential pitch-tipping by Yamamoto.
“We’ve cleaned stuff up,” Roberts explained. He emphasized confidence in Yamamoto’s preparation despite earlier challenges.
In a crucial Game 4, the Dodgers secured an 8-0 victory, employing eight relievers to set the stage for the decisive Game 5 against their rivals. Roberts mentioned that six or seven relievers would be ready for Friday, including Jack Flaherty, who had earlier issues in Game 2.
Padres manager Mike Shildt remained unfazed by the Dodgers’ strategy, likening his team’s straightforward approach to that of legendary coach Vince Lombardi: “This is who we are and we’re going to compete and execute.”
In lineup news, the Dodgers will be without injured shortstop Miguel Rojas, though he is available as a pinch hitter. Tommy Edman will step in as the starting shortstop. There is also optimism regarding All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who is expected to return after missing Game 4 due to a sprained right ankle, which had previously forced him out of Game 2 early. “He’s feeling much better today with treatment,” Roberts stated.