The Los Angeles Dodgers are showcasing an exceptional performance in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). The team’s starting pitchers have dominated, putting the Dodgers in a commanding position after winning the first two games against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Yamamoto Achieves Rare Feat in L.A. Victory After Snell
In Game 2 of the NLCS, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made history by throwing the first playoff complete game for the Dodgers since 2004. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 5-1, taking a 2-0 series lead. This achievement marks the first complete game by a pitcher in the postseason since Justin Verlander accomplished it in 2017.
Star Pitching Performance
Yamamoto’s performance came right after Blake Snell’s stellar eight-inning showing in Game 1. Notably, the Dodgers’ starters have gone over eight innings while allowing one run or fewer in the first two games of the series, a feat not seen since 1983.
- Yamamoto: First Dodgers pitcher with a postseason complete game since José Lima in 2004.
- First pitcher with a complete game and zero runners in scoring position since Roy Halladay’s no-hitter in 2010.
- Dodgers starters have a 1.54 ERA in the postseason, the lowest by any team in the first eight games since 2012.
Implications for the Series
With this pitching prowess, the Dodgers are well-positioned to return to the World Series. Historically, only three of the 28 teams that lost the first two games at home in a best-of-seven series went on to win. The Dodgers’ starting rotation has significantly contributed to their success, recording six wins in their seven postseason victories, while the Brewers’ lineup struggled to respond.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith praised the pitching, emphasizing the uniqueness of the two back-to-back games by Yamamoto and Snell. The team is not only excelling with the ball but is also seeing contributions from its offense.
Upcoming Challenges for Milwaukee
Looking ahead, the Brewers face a formidable challenge as Tyler Glasnow, with 7⅔ scoreless innings in the playoffs, prepares for Game 3. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch in Game 4. As the Brewers look to regroup, they are under pressure to improve against a Dodgers squad that is playing its best baseball of the season.
In summary, the Dodgers are building momentum in the NLCS, bolstered by outstanding pitching performances from both Yamamoto and Snell, positioning themselves as serious contenders for another championship title.
