LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani’s wish will come true as he watches Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto take on San Diego’s Yu Darvish in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Darvish is set to start for the Padres in this decisive matchup Friday night at Dodger Stadium, a venue that experienced a 12-minute delay during Game 2 last week due to fans throwing objects onto the field.
“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 postseason meeting between Japanese-born starting pitchers in Major League Baseball history.
Ohtani had eagerly anticipated this matchup earlier in the series when Yoshinobu was slated to pitch Game 2 against Darvish, but the Dodgers opted to switch him to Game 1.
In Game 2, Darvish delivered a strong performance, allowing just one run and three hits over seven innings, aiding the Padres to a 10-2 victory. He showcased his skills with a variety of pitches and speed changes, and he shares a close friendship with Yamamoto, who looked up to Darvish as a child.
“Just for us to be able to go out there and pitch on the same day in a playoff game, I think it means a lot,” Darvish noted through an interpreter.
Darvish, 38, last pitched at Dodger Stadium during an elimination game in the 2017 World Series, where he started Game 7 against the Houston Astros. He doesn’t dwell on that experience. “But maybe it is the experience that I have accumulated up until today that’s making me feel calm right now,” he added.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had not confirmed a starter earlier in the day, simply stating that Yamamoto would “be a part of it.” The team later confirmed that Yamamoto will take the mound.
This season, Yamamoto has struggled against the Padres, allowing 13 earned runs across three starts, including three runs and a two-run homer by Manny Machado in the first inning of Game 1.
“It’s just lack of command. When he hasn’t commanded the baseball, he hasn’t been really that good,” Roberts stated. He emphasized Yamamoto’s potential when he is aggressive with his pitch mix.
At just 26 years old, Yamamoto is the highest-paid pitcher in the majors after signing a $325 million, 12-year contract with the Dodgers last December, shortly after Ohtani secured a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the team.
In Game 1, Yamamoto faced challenges, giving up five runs, with multiple batters reaching base. Roberts noted that the rookie may have unintentionally revealed his pitch style. “I think we’ve cleaned stuff up,” Roberts said.
In a crucial Game 4, the Dodgers secured a dominant 8-0 victory using eight relievers, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion against their rivals on Friday. Roberts indicated that six or seven relievers would be available for the game.
Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed confidence in his team’s straightforward approach, comparing it to famed football coach Vince Lombardi’s no-nonsense style.
In team news, injured shortstop Miguel Rojas will not be in the starting lineup but is available to pinch hit, with Tommy Edman taking the spot at shortstop. Roberts confirmed that All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman is likely to return after missing Game 4 due to a sprained right ankle. “He’s feeling much better today with treatment,” Roberts confirmed.