Yoshinobu Yamamoto completed an excellent regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, establishing himself as one of the most dependable pitchers in their rotation.

Yamamoto went 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 185 innings over 28 starts. He recorded 182 strikeouts against 42 walks, demonstrating an impressive combination of swing-and-miss ability and control.

His workload was particularly important. Reaching 185 innings showed that Yamamoto could consistently take the ball, work deep enough to protect the bullpen and remain available throughout a demanding season.

The right-hander was not as dominant during the postseason. Yamamoto went 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 9.2 innings over two starts, recording 11 strikeouts against three walks.

Those numbers were respectable, but they fell short of the standard Yamamoto had previously established as a pitcher who was routinely lights out during the postseason.

His most disappointing outing occurred in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Yamamoto gave up three runs on four hits with one strikeout and two walks in 2.2 innings to get a no-decision in a 7-4 road loss on Oct. 12. Milwaukee eventually swept the Dodgers, ending their dreams to win a third straight World Series title.

It was the shortest postseason start of his career and prevented the Dodgers from receiving the length they needed in an important game.

That difficult performance should not overshadow Yamamoto’s complete season. His regular season work showed that he could combine effectiveness with a substantial workload while consistently keeping runners off base.

Yamamoto’s command remains central to his success. He can attack hitters without surrendering unnecessary walks, move through lineups efficiently and create strikeouts without depending entirely on overpowering velocity.

His ability to change speeds and keep hitters from settling into comfortable at-bats makes him difficult to prepare for a lot. Yamamoto can approach different lineups with more than one plan, allowing him to adjust when an opponent begins recognizing a particular sequence.

The Milwaukee outing also provides a clear area for improvement entering 2027.

Yamamoto must respond more effectively when his command is not immediately sharp and find ways to survive early trouble without allowing his pitch count to end his start prematurely.

Expectations should remain extremely high. His regular season performance established that he can serve as one of the leading pitchers on a team pursuing a World Series title.

The Dodgers should expect Yamamoto to remain near the top of their rotation in 2027, regardless of how the rest of the staff changes during the offseason.

His next challenge will be carrying his regular season consistency into October. One poor start does not erase his previous postseason success, but it does reinforce how narrow the margin becomes against elite opponents.

A season resembling his 2026 campaign, accompanied by a stronger postseason finish, would place Yamamoto among the most valuable pitchers in MLB.