Yamamoto's pitching masterpiece —a complete game —led the Dodgers to a Game 2 win. Roberts lauded his ace and the entire team's clutch performance.
After the Dodgers’ 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays in Game 2 of the World Series, manager Dave Roberts couldn’t help but smile as he discussed Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s latest masterpiece.
“Our starting pitcher was outstanding tonight — uber competitive, special,” Roberts said. “He was just locked in. Before the series, he said, ‘losing is not an option,’ and you could see that look in his eyes.”
Yamamoto, who tossed a complete-game shutout, adjusted seamlessly throughout the night, mixing in all four of his pitches with precision. “He’s got four pitches to get lefties out, and he reads hitters really well,” Roberts said. “Will Smith did a fantastic job behind the plate, and Mark Prior’s game plan was spot-on. Yoshi just executed.”
Roberts pointed to Yamamoto’s international experience as a key to his calm demeanor. “He’s pitched in huge ballgames in Japan, in the WBC — when you’ve had a whole country on your shoulders, that’s real pressure,” Roberts said. “It’s just part of his DNA to perform in big spots and control his heartbeat.”
Behind the plate, Smith not only guided Yamamoto through the outing but also sparked the Dodgers offensively with a clutch home run in the sixth inning — immediately followed by another blast from Max Muncy.
“It was a huge relief,” Roberts admitted. “Gausman was throwing the ball really well, and when Will connected, it was just complete elation in the dugout. Then Max backing him up made it even bigger.”
Roberts also praised Smith’s growth over the years, noting his development into a complete player. “He’s always had the bat-to-ball skills, but the game calling, the trust with pitchers, and his composure — that’s taken him to another level,” Roberts said. “He doesn’t panic, and that flatline heartbeat is what you need in October.”
As Yamamoto continued to mow down hitters deep into the night, Roberts’ plan evolved. “After the first inning, I was thinking six,” he said. “But the pitch count stayed down, and his delivery never fell off. There was never a question about the ninth — it was a no-brainer.”
When asked if Yamamoto’s performance reminded him of Dodgers legends from the past, Roberts smiled. “He’s a throwback,” he said. “When he starts a game, he expects to finish it. He’s got the mindset, the work ethic, and the weapons to go deep into games. You’ve got to love that.”
For Roberts, watching his ace etch his name into franchise history — becoming the first Dodger since Orel Hershiser in 1988 to throw a World Series complete game — was something special
“I love it,” Roberts said. “When your starter is your best option, that’s the way the game’s supposed to feel.”