Yamamoto will be looked upon by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to deliver another stellar start in must-win situation.
The stakes for the Los Angeles Dodgers entering Game 6 of the 2025 World Series on Friday night could not be any higher.
This is a win-or-go-home situation. Of course, should the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6, that would force a deciding Game 7 on Saturday night at Rogers Centre.
If Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wanted any pitcher lined up for this start, then it had to fall in Yoshinobu Yamamoto's lap.
Hours before the Dodgers and Blue Jays hit the field again, Yamamoto is still listed as the probable starter for Los Angeles against Toronto's probable starter, Kevin Gausman. Yamamoto was impeccable in his Game 2 start, going the distance while keeping Toronto's heavy-duty lineup in check.
But Los Angeles enters Game 6 on a two-game losing skid after the Blue Jays notched Games 4 and 5 victories at Dodger Stadium.
In the 2025 postseason, Yamamoto has a 3-1 record with a 1.57 ERA. He's struck out 26 while walking just four. Gausman is 2-2 with a 2.55 ERA.
There's also some chatter online about the possibility of Shohei Ohtani pitching late in Game 6 if Roberts needs it. Ohtani took the Game 4 loss and, while he filled the Dodgers designated hitter role in Game 5, didn't see the mound.
Would Ohtani get the ball from Roberts if he really needed him out there? It's possible. After all, the Dodgers enter Friday night's game with the need for all hands on deck. That includes using multiple relievers and starters, if necessary.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider had to have been ecstatic with Trey Yesavage's outing in Game 5. The rookie pitcher recorded 12 strikeouts while just locking up the Los Angeles batting order. The Dodgers have not been really proficient in the run department.
Let's not leave out Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting solo home runs on Game 5's first three pitches from Dodgers starter Blake Snell on Wednesday night en route to a 6-1 win for Toronto.
On Friday night, though, Los Angeles has to come out strong and quick. There's no room for error, whether at the plate or in the field.
Game 6 will start around 8 p.m. Eastern and can be seen on Fox. The Dodgers and Blue Jays radio announcers can be heard on SiriusXM if you have a subscription. ESPN Radio will also have the call of the 2025 World Series in Canada.
All eyes will be on Yamamoto. Dodgers Nation hopes that he can deliver one more outstanding start and push the World Series to a seventh and deciding game.
Let's see how all of this pans out. Dodgers fans want that World Series title to remain in the City of Angels a bit longer.
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