Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has announced that Japanese rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game One of the Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday night, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Jack Flaherty will start Game 2 on Sunday. This is a change in the Dodgers’ NLDS rotation from earlier this week, when General Manager Brandon Gomes stated that Flaherty would start the opening game and Yamamoto the second.
Dodgers Flip-Flop Yamamoto and Flaherty in NLDS Rotation
The Rationale
This move ensures that as many weapons are accessible in case of a Game Five. This means that the Japanese superstar will most likely start the fifth game as well. This also preserves his one-outing-a-week timetable, which the Dodgers have been very cautious to observe.
Bright Lights and Big Games
Yamamoto is no stranger to dramatic games, having pitched for Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship. (Shohei Ohtani was also on that team.)
Furthermore, the right-hander demonstrated his major-league credentials under the lights at Yankee Stadium. In June, he pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out seven. However, immediately after that appearance, Yamamoto was sidelined for three months owing to shoulder issues. But when he’s healthy, he’s an absolute ace. Yamamoto is 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA.
Prime Choices
At the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for innings and postseason eligibility. So far, Flaherty has given them exactly what they asked for. The right-hander has stabilized a starting rotation ravaged by injuries. Nine of his ten starts have lasted at least five innings each.
Going into Game Two allows Flaherty to pitch with normal rest as well. Perhaps more importantly, Blake Williams of Dodger Blue reports that Flaherty’s velocity has dropped slightly owing to “delivery issues.” The Dodgers will need every advantage they can get on Saturday, and they hope their newest decision pays off.
