Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s initial reaction after complete World Series game
Yoshinobu Yamamoto provided his thoughts on a spectacular performance after the Los Angeles Dodgers' win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night.
The starting pitcher had a complete game, taking part in all nine innings of the contest. He struck out eight batters while conceding four hits and one run during his time on the mound.
Yamamoto reflected on the performance with Tom Verducci after the game, via FOX Sports. He wanted to have a relaxed mentality so he could have solid composure on the mound.
“I racked up with my pitch count early on, but I think I took it like one inning by one inning. And then I think I was executing my pitches very well today,” said Yamamoto, who threw 105 total pitches.
“It's not simple. I was trying to be going into the game relaxing, but it's a World Series, so I kind of get early on because I was like kind of throwing with unnecessary tension. So I just adjusted that as the game went on.”
How Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers played against Blue Jays
Yoshinobu Yamamoto played a major role in helping the Dodgers tie up the series at one apiece with the Game 2 victory.
Los Angeles and Toronto were even at one apiece after six innings of the contest. It wasn't until the seventh and eighth frames for the Dodgers to make the biggest plays of the game. Will Smith fired a solo shot to left field, Pedro Pages used a wild pitch from Toronto to reach home plate, while Smith grounded into a fielder's choice to drive Shohei Ohtani home.
The Blue Jays were unable to recover from those blows, going scoreless for the last six innings of the contest. Yamamoto played a big impact in that aspect of the game, having Toronto's series lead dissipate after Game 2.
The Dodgers will look to take a 2-1 series lead when they host the Blue Jays in Game 3. The contest will take place on Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET.
Yankees Likely Picking Up Veteran Reliever's Contract Option
The New York Yankees' bullpen could look quite different next season, though they're all but certain to bring back their top left-handed option.
Yankees Likely Picking Up Hill's Option
Per the New York Post's Greg Joyce, the Yankees have every intention of picking up TIm Hill's $3 million club option and bringing him back into the fold for the 2026 campaign.
"The Yankees have a $3 million club option on the side-arming lefty, and they figure to pick it up given how well Hill pitched with the second-highest ground-ball rate in the majors," Joyce wrote.
Hill's Yankees Tenure
The veteran southpaw began his MLB career with the Kansas City Royals in 2018 and was traded to the San Diego Padres ahead of the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Hill started 2024 off with the Chicago White Sox and was released that June after logging a 5.87 ERA over 23 innings for the team. The Yankees signed him to a one-year deal shortly after, and the rest was history.
The 35-year-old was superb down the stretch of the regular season last year, owning a 2.05 ERA in 44 innings. He remained excellent during the Yankees' run to the World Series as well, posting a 1.08 ERA in 8 1/3 frames.
Hill agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.85 million with New York last offseason that includes his aforementioned club option, and he once again filled a key role in 2025.
Across 70 appearances and 67 innings, he recorded a 3.09 ERA with 37 strikeouts and a 1.104 WHIP.
