DENVER — Earlier than the Dodgers took the sphere on Saturday, they knew they’d wrapped up the perfect report within the Majors, securing them the No. 1 seed within the Nationwide League and home-field benefit via the World Collection.
As soon as they stepped onto the sphere, they confirmed, as soon as once more, why they’ll end with essentially the most wins within the sport this season. Led by their highly effective offense and a strong begin from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers beat the Rockies, 13-2, on Saturday evening at Coors Discipline.
“Nice tune-up for Yoshinobu,” stated Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “I assumed the fastball was actually good. Had life to it. I assumed the command of it was actually good. There have been some close to misses. As the sport went on, the cut up bought higher. The curveball was good.”
Although the Dodgers had nothing to play for, their greatest precedence this weekend was persevering with to construct up Yamamoto, who was making simply his fourth begin since getting back from the injured record. Mission achieved because the Japanese right-hander allowed two runs and went 5 innings for the primary time since returning.
“I really feel good,” Roberts stated. “With Yoshi, I feel the pitch rely is ok. Getting him via the fifth inning was nice. There’s going to be definitely much more adrenaline when he makes that [postseason] begin. However then he’ll have time to recuperate. So so far as the build-up, I feel he’s in a great spot.”
Yamamoto, who was coping with an sickness all week, had some hassle within the first inning, giving up a pair of singles that allowed the Rockies to get off to an early 1-0 lead. Within the third, Ezequiel Tovar took Yamamoto deep for the second run.
However as soon as the right-hander settled down, he appeared sharp once more. Yamamoto struck out six over 5 innings, doing so with all three of his important pitches — four-seamer, curveball and splitter. Along with his 5 innings, Yamamoto completed his rookie season, which was interrupted with a proper shoulder damage, with a 3.00 ERA.
“It was not an ideal season for me attributable to my damage, as a result of I used to be away from the workforce,” Yamamoto stated via translator Yoshihiro Sonoda. “Nevertheless, I discovered loads, I skilled nice issues, and my teammates helped accumulate the wins, main us into October. I actually admire it and I’ll love to do my greatest to contribute.”
Yamamoto’s marketing campaign was spectacular when he was wholesome. He’ll now be known as upon to carry out within the precise eventualities the Dodgers envisioned once they determined to speculate prime cash in him.
Provided that he bought deeper within the recreation than he had in his earlier outings, Yamamoto is ready as much as pitch 5 – 6 innings in his subsequent begin. That may are available both Recreation 2 or Recreation 3 of the NL Division Collection in opposition to both the Padres, who’ve clinched a Wild Card berth, or the D-backs, Mets or Braves, who’re all nonetheless vying for the second and third spots. Will probably be Yamamoto’s postseason debut.
“It’s going to be must-win state of affairs,” Yamamoto stated. “I’ll do my greatest to offer the whole lot I’ve bought and to win.”
Offensively, the Dodgers bought three-run homers from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández. For Teoscar, he’s now only one RBI shy of 100 this season. The homer additionally gave him a brand new profession excessive with 33. As for Shohei Ohtani, he went 2-for-5, enhancing his batting common to .310.
Although a bit unlikely at this level within the recreation, Ohtani remains to be simply 4 factors behind Luis Arraez to finish the Triple Crown. Arraez sat on Saturday with the Padres not enjoying for something earlier than their Wild Card Collection on Thursday, however each gamers will likely be of their respective lineups on Sunday.
“I’d count on Arraez to play tomorrow,” Roberts stated. “And we’ll see if Shohei can throw out one other large day.”
