Yoshinobu Yamamoto has found another gear in recent weeks, showing exactly why the Dodgers invested so heavily in him. Over his last two starts, the right-hander has been nearly unhittable, allowing just two hits over 15.2 innings while striking out 20 batters. Despite this dominance, the Dodgers lost both games, turning two strong performances into frustrating defeats.
The first of those outings was against the Baltimore Orioles, a game that had all the makings of a historic night at Camden Yards. Yamamoto carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning. With two outs and the crowd on its feet, he gave up a solo home run that ended his no-hit bid and finished his night after 8.2 innings, one hit, one earned run, two walks, and 10 strikeouts. It was his most electrifying performance of his young Dodgers career, but one that quickly took a sour turn. The bullpen faltered, with Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott unable to secure the final out. Instead of celebrating Yamamoto’s masterpiece, the Dodgers were left stunned by another late collapse.
His next start was nearly as impressive. Facing the rival Giants in San Francisco, Yamamoto matched up against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander in a high-profile matchup. Again, he was outstanding. Over seven innings, he limited the Giants to one hit and one run, issued a single walk, and struck out 10. His splitter and fastball kept San Francisco’s hitters off balance all night. Yet, the Dodgers again let the game slip away, this time on a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning, with Scott once more on the losing end.
For Yamamoto, the stats in the standings don’t tell the whole story. Now in his second season with the Dodgers, the 26-year-old has made noticeable progress from his rookie year. In 28 starts this season, he has posted an 11–8 record while pitching a career-high 162.1 innings. His 0.98 WHIP ranks among the best in the league, showing how effectively he limits baserunners.
While the lack of run support and bullpen issues have overshadowed his recent brilliance, Yamamoto’s dominance is clear. His last two outings not only highlight his growth but also reaffirm the Dodgers’ belief that he is the future cornerstone of their rotation. If the Dodgers can match his excellence with consistent offense and reliable relief, Yamamoto’s performances will no longer go to waste, and victories will start to come more regularly.