What is there to say about the LAD starting pitching. It is unparalleled in today’s MLB. A night after Blake Snell’s 8 inning 1 hit gem, Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched one of his own. He spun a 3-hit complete game victory. Yama gave up a HR on his first pitch to Jackson Chourio, and proceeded to shut down Milwaukee from that point forward. Brice Turang and Sal Frelick hit opposite field singles, but never got to scoring position.
Yama struck out 7 and was never in danger. Did not pitch in any stress the entire game. He threw 111 pitches, 81 for strikes for a 73% strike rate. 70% 1st pitch strikes!
Yama had 15 swings and misses. He has had better starts with the swing and miss, but this start was special. He retired the final 14 Brewers hitters to finish the complete game.
José Lima was the last Dodger pitcher to pitch a complete game in the post season. His complete game was a 4-0 shutout victory against St. Louis on October 9, 2004.
Allowed leadoff home run and threw complete game, postseason history:
2025 NLCS G2 Yoshinobu Yamamoto
1954 WS G2 Johnny Antonelli
1942 WS G5 Johnny Beazley
1909 WS G5 Babe AdamsOnly Yamamoto and Antonelli also allowed no other runs
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/zBb2rGD3z4
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 15, 2025
Question that I did think about, did Doc let Yama go for the complete game because of what transpired with the bullpen in Game 1?
The Dodgers had 11 hits including 2 HRs (Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy). Teo’s HR in the 2nd tied the score at 1-1, and Muncy’s gave LAD a 3-1 lead. This was Teo’s 4th HR of the post season.
Teoscar Hernandez crushes his fourth home run of the postseason to tie it up at 1-1. Say whatever you want about Teo's defense and base running, but he giveth far more than he taketh.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) October 15, 2025
After the game, Max said he thought that Frelick caught the ball. But this one went 412 feet, and Frelick was too close to the wall and jumped into the wall instead of over it. Max now stands alone as the #1 LAD HR hitter in the playoffs with 14. He has broken the tie with Corey Seager and Justin Turner.
No one has hit more homers in the postseason for the #Dodgers than Max Muncy.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/ChYX0ai1FM— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 15, 2025
LAD also had 4 doubles: Andy Pages, Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández, and Freddie Freeman. Pages 2nd inning double was a big one as he brought home Kiké, for the 2nd run and the lead they would not relinquish.
Shohei struck out 3 times but did roll an RBI single into RF, with the infield in to plate Kiké Hernández for a 4-1 lead. He left 4 runners on base, including 3 in scoring position.
LAD was 2-11 wRISP. Shohei singled home Kike’ from 3rd in the 7th, for a 4-1 lead. In the 8th, Tommy Edman singled home Will Smith for a 5-1 lead. But they left the bases loaded with one out in the 8th and the bases loaded with no outs in the 9th.
October Kiké, Tommy Edman, and Tesocar each had 2 hits. October Kiké has 4 hits in the 2 NLCS games, Tommy Edman, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman have 3 hits in the 2 NLCS games.
If it were not for the incredible starting pitching, we would be complaining about the lack of clutch hitting. The Dodgers are 3-21 wRISP in the 2 games, but still won 2 games on the road. They come back to Los Angeles and will try to wrap it up. It appears that Tyler Glasnow will be starting Game 3 while Ohtani is slated to start Game 4. I do not know why this was such a big secret. Ohtani was only going to pitch one game in the NLCS, and Glasnow will now be in position to come back for Game 7 if necessary.
Glasnow and Ohtani have big shoes to fill. The Brewers really have 2 starters, Freddie Peralta and Quinn Priester, and Quinn is a bulk pitcher. I imagine LHP Jose Quintana will start Game 3 with Jacob Misiorowski ready to piggyback. Quintana has pitched very well against the Dodgers over the years. He has started 12 games and relieved in 3. He has an ERA of 2.32 over 73.2 IP.
Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are the first pair of Dodgers to log 8+ innings in consecutive postseason games since Orel Hershiser and Tim Belcher in Games 1 and 2 of the 1988 NLCS. https://t.co/qmofcKtopo
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 15, 2025
The Dodgers are the first team to have two starters go eight or more innings in consecutive postseason games in one series since Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum pitched Games 4-5 for the Giants in the 2010 World Series
(h/t @JesseRogersESPN) pic.twitter.com/3NdjfKrjAn
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 15, 2025
Shohei is still swinging at pitches he has no shot at hitting. He is becoming increasingly difficult to watch. If he had any K-zone discipline, he would be 10 times more dangerous at the plate. He is too polite, bails on almost every inside pitch, and keeps swinging ala Bellinger at those low outside pitches. Team wise, they had a good game and a good plan. They head home up 2-0. No way the Brewers take this series.
Why does any pitcher ever throw him a strike?
he does walk a lot also
This was the first year he ever walked over 100 times with 109. But his K to BB ratio is still skewed by the fact he struck out 187 times. Muncy on the other hand, even in a shortened season for him was much better striking out 83 times but drawing 64 walks. They do walk Ohtani intentionally a lot. 20 times. But his walk rate pales next to Judge, who has led the AL in walks five times.
Intentionally
Yams with a gem. It was his first complete game in MLB and a very well-timed one. It was also the Dodgers’ first in the postseason since 2004 (Jose Lima) and the first by any MLB pitcher in the postseason since 2017 (Justin Verlander).
Roberts sometimes acts as if complete games violate the rules. It was good to see Yamamoto get one.
I have a feeling the Brewers may start with Misirowowski in game 3. They are in the last chance saloon, and he is their best pitcher.
Snell and Yamamoto have been stellar. To be able to follow them up with Glasnow and Ohtani is daunting for any opponent, knowing that Snell and Yamamoto are both available again should they be needed.
It’s mad because our offensive play really isn’t that good currently. As Jeff points out our hitting WRISP is pedestrian, and the potential Achilles Heel of our ropey Bullpen is being masked by our Starters suddenly going 8 or more innings.
Having Will in the lineup gives it so much more length.
Was thinking about Michael Conforto and how he must be feeling. To struggle all season only to find his stroke in the last 6 weeks, to then be blanked completely in the Post Season. Very strange.
Gotta feeling the Blue Jays aren’t done yet.
All considered, I have more sympathy for Outman than the $17-million man. Conforto’s contract–not the quality of his play–kept Outman in OKC most of the season. If Outman was still wth the Dodgers, he’d likely be on the roster ahead of Justin Dean.
Outman is better off with the Twins, probably. But signing Conforto was a mistake considering the other options.
And I also have more sympathy for Ryan Ward, minor league homer champ…
Snell would pitch game five. Not a pleasant prospect for the Brewers.
I suspect that Roberts must have learned from his mistake in pulling Snell from his masterpiece. And why not give Yamamoto his complete-game flowers?
The only thing that prevented a tie (and perhaps a loss) in the previous game was Turang’s quick and misguided reflexes in avoiding Treinen’s too-inside pitch.
I’m sure I’m not the only fan who is frustrated by the way the Dodgers often manage the pitching staff. Yes, we are decades removed from the practice of over-using Koufax and Fernando, but it seems to me that under-using pitchers is a problem too.
We’ve often the Dodgers will pull a starting pitcher even when he’s on a roll. They’ll set a pitch limit or innings limit and stick to it. Then they (Roberts and his advisors) will typically roll out a new reliever each inning, regardless of pitch count. “One and done,” as they say. But if Jack Dreyer, say, shuts down three batters on a dozen pitches, why take him out to start the next inning? Why risk handing the ball to a pitcher who may not be as sharp?
During the post-game interviews the other day, Roberts talked about how Treinen’s high-wire save should help his “confidence.” But it was split-second and a few millimeters from disaster.
Huge difference in pitch count. Yoshi was below 100 to start the 9th. Snell was at 103 after 8. The rule of thumb is that most pitchers lose effectiveness around 100 pitches, which is why not many are allowed to go beyond that. Yoshi, who pitched in the Japanese league was allowed to throw well over that number by his coaches and manager. As for Koufax, he wasn’t overused. He was used the way they used pitchers then. You finished what you started. In his perfect game against the Cubs, he threw 113 pitches. By today’s standards he was over his limit. When he no-hit the Phillies in 1964 he threw 97 pitches, his 63 no-hitter, 111 and in 62, against the Mets, he threw 138 pitches. He walked 5 and struck out 13. 80 of his pitches were strikes. By contrast, Beckett threw 128 when he no-hit the Phillies, and Kersh threw just 107 in his gem against the Rockies.
Good info. Thanks
One small point of order: everything you just posted, and the fact Koufax retired at 30 due to chronic pain in his left elbow, does strongly suggest he was overused. At the time, nobody threw harder than Koufax. 658.2 innings and 54 complete games in his last two years blew his arm out. One has to wonder what he might have accomplished had he been pulled after 100 pitches. Or better yet, what if, instead of 82 starts in those two years, pitching in a 4 man rotation, he averaged 32 starts like today’s starters. He might have pitched until he was 40. Or, like Kershaw, until he was 37.
His arm problems started before that. In 64 the first signs of trouble showed up. You also have to remember they trained much differently than they do today. Big D was done at 32, Erskine was done at 32 and Karl Spooner was just 27.
Yeah, true, but there were many guys pitching then that lasted longer than Koufax did, including Drysdale. Juan Marichal, Jim Palmer, Bob Gibson, Jim Perry, Gaylord Perry, Jim Bunning, Jim Kaat, Curt Simmons …. the list is long. None threw harder than Koufax did. Few threw as many innings as did Koufax. Those last two years, ‘65 and ‘66 he led the league in innings pitched and strikeouts. That did it. Gone at 30.
Weird that Gibson never led the league in innings pitched. Palmer led the AL four times, and only once in those four years was he under 300. Marichal led twice, 63-68, over 300 both times. Gaylord had over 300 innings six times. In 72-73 he surpassed the two-year total that Sandy had, 658.2 with 686.2. But he was a knuckleballer. Not nearly as much strain on the arm as Koufax.
I had yet to hear how that freak double play would be recorded in a scorebook. Nobody seemed to know so I did some research on it.
Entry for the batter:
In the box for the batter (in this case, Max Muncy), you would record:
Muncy’s 400’ fly ball is recorded in history as a ground ball.
makes sense to me.
Ohtani is one of the worst clutch hitters i have ever seen continues to have miserable at bats. Dont understand why anyone would walk him intentionally or throw him a fastball Amazing Dodgers pitching is carrying the team.
I’m not surprised….i saw this in last year’s playoffs. Maybe he should bat 9th so he doesn’t bat 5 times. That way we can limit his Ks to 4.
Ohtanis at bats are becoming excruciating to watch.
He had a great offensive year, again.
Did these issues begin when he started pitching? I can’t help but wonder if he’s fatigued.
Homer wise yes, but with that many bombs, he only drove in 102 runs. Schwarber had 1 more homer and 30 more RBIs. I think it has more to do with expanding his zone than anything else. Why would anyone ever walk him when all they need to do is keep throwing low and outside. He chases that stuff like a hungry wolf chase rabbit.
Indeed, Ohtani had another great year of hitting home runs.
I don’t believe being fatigued (if that’s the case) causes a hitter to continually swing at pitches that are noncompetitive pitches out of the pitcher’s hand. He’s been doing it all season. He seems to think that swinging as hard as possible is required and that you get extra points for how far the hit goes. It’s a HR if it goes over the fence. Whether it’s 350′ or 550′ feet. For a player with such a high baseball IQ it’s surprising his pitch recognition is so poor.
As I have mentioned in the past several times and as was mentioned above, why would a pitcher EVER throw Ohtani a fastball or a curve ball strike?
When facing top tear pitchers, as he does now in the playoffs, his power is greatly reduced. And, why do the Dodgers continue to hit him at the leadoff spot?
With all that, because of the other worldly starting pitching, the Dodgers are dominating their opponents right now. This is despite poor hitting with RISP and a shaky BP.
The idea that premier pitching always beats a strong offense is holding true for the Dodgers 2025 postseason. If it should continue there should be no way the team won’t win another WS.
Seattle or Toronto? On paper there is no comparison with the Dodgers’ talent and what those two teams have to offer as competitors. That’s on paper. But, I think most here are feeling very confident in the Dodgers quest for another ring.
Oh, and thank you to Dave Roberts for letting Yamamoto finish the game. We could have had two back to back complete games after not having any in the postseason since 2004. It’s a start (pun intended).
Carry on.
He led the league in OPS. I say – swing away Shohei.
I don’t mind him swinging. What I mind is him chasing so many bad pitches. His OPS may have led the league, but in the playoffs his OPS for his career is .708. Kike is much better in the postseason.
I agree with that. Even that triple was an awkward swing. Pitch recognition appears to be off. Is it fixable?
Ohtani has been very disappointing at the plate in the post season.
Bregman is opting out of his contract with Boston, leaving 80 million on the table.
Yoiks.
Where’s that table? Let’s make a plan to sneak in and get it.
Does that say more about the money or Boston?
A lot of the 80 mil is deferred. Maybe he wants more up front.
I read he wants a longer contract
You are most likely right. Alonso wants at least seven years.
Scott? Pitching needs some love
Mookie up for a Gold Glove. What an amazing accomplishment! Much deserved! Teo gets snubbed!
Wow, that is so impressive for him, yes.
We need a wellness check on Bradley
I think he gave up because the last couple of weeks of the season, he had nothing to complain about.
🤣 LOL
So who expected Mookie to be a Gold Glove finalist at SS?
Pretty remarkable.
And Miguel Rojas is a UT Gold Glove finalist….
Snell and Yamamoto combined to throw 17 innings with 17 Ks, allowing 4 hits and one walk. (Should have been 18 innings….)
In a single inning, Sasaki and Treinen combined to allow 3 walks and 1 hit, with one K… against a batter who was nearly hit by a pitch.
In his post-game interview, Brewers manager Pat Murphy pointed out that his team had the MLB’s lowest “chase rate” on pitches. Disciplined hitters who know the strike zone. But Snell and Yamamoto had them chasing…
I expected it but most thought I was crazy. Wonder how some on here be cooking that crow
Obviously not me. Too many errant throws for much of the year. I think Freddie deserves one for bailing him out so many times. Mookie did clean that up but those sidearm throws still drive me nuts.
His throwing was bad to start the season. Freddie bailed him out a bunch. He has thrown a couple of clunkers in the playoffs as well. Having said all that, he has improved immensely throughout the season. My biggest contention with him at SS is we have others who are good defensively there. He is our best OF and our OF is bad defensively. Much better now with Kike replacing Conforto.
Well I think I’m onto something with Ohtani’s struggles at the plate. I think it’s a reading issue.
As kids we learning that Oriental people read from right to left and not left to right.
That explains Ohtani’s misunderstanding of the Game Plan for the hitters. He reversed the plan and thought it said “take the Strikes and Swing at the balls”.
Once he switches that up, he should be better.
And the simplified Pitching Game Plan seems to be working. Don’t trust your Bullpen? Don’t use em.
Well done.
Shut the fuck up, Donnie
Oriental reading patterns? You might get some pushback on that. Not from me though.
I think it’s a question of fatigue. He looks worn out to me. Hope it doesn’t affect his pitching.
They read and write from right to left. Britain drives on the left side of the road. It is what it is.
So far the great SP pitching has been enough. And our lineup is deep. But if we need to score more runs with Ohtani, Betts and Pages not contributing, and a shaky bullpen ………Well we see
(Pages did have that double)
I realize I’d be in the minority (maybe the only person) to want Kershaw start game 3. He had a great year. I realize that I’m speaking with my heart and not my brain but I think he’d kill it. I know it won’t happen but just throwing it out there.
The emotional side for me would love it, but the practical side says heck NO. Love Kershaw but his 89 MPH probably won’t play up so well in the post season.
Maybe if we win game 3 he could start game 4.
I love Kersh but why would you not start your best players in the post season?
He was good all season and he’s the best pitcher in Dodger history. We would have 4 games to win 1. Snell and YY would be lined up for games 6 and 7. The question I’d why wouldn’t you do that if we win game 3?
Why? 2004 NYY. You have the opponent down, do not let them back up.
Possibly he could finish up for Ohtani in game 4. The contrast in stuff could work
Kershaw went 11-2. Second most wins on the team. He certainly won’t throw gas by the hitter but he’s a pitcher now not a thrower. I’d think his teammates would be gassed up for the opportunity to be on the field in a playoff game with a legend. I realize it won’t happen. It should!!
I would pitch Kersh in game four, between Glasnow and Ohtani. Kersh’s slow stuff would baffle them, and if Glas wins tomorrow, Kersh could throw the clincher. Would be great for him.
The only pitch I want to see from Kersh is a ceremonial first pitch.
I think the ultimate scenario would be we have a big lead in the deciding game, and Kersh comes out to the mound to close out that game and send us to the World Series. No pressure, and all love .
Assuming we reach the final series, that’s the exact scenario I had in mind for the last inning of the World Series.
Imagine CK throwing the last out of the World Series as his last Dodger pitch.
This is how I would go.
That would be the ultimate way to win the title
Mariners are for real, jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first on a Rodriguez homer.
Blue Jays more realer tonight.
Can we be the first home team to win a game tomorrow?
Yep, me spoketh too soon methinks. Five homers for second time in the playoffs. Boom.
Oh hell, lets just sweep em and let it go at that!
Good start time for the Uk fans , Although I’m in Spain for a lil R&R.
Few glasses of Sangria and some nice Tapas before a midnight start time here.
I know it won’t make me popular to say this again l, but Kershaw (my favourite Dodger of all time)) is in danger of becoming a distraction is I feared he would.
Emmet Sheehan is a far better bet to do the piggy backing, or Wrobo for that matter. We also have Caspa. After his showing coming outta the Pen against the Phillies he shouldn’t be on the roster. Any one else would have been jettisoned .
Doc couldn’t bring himself to remove him after his one inning high wire act in game 3. Was anyone really pleased to see Clayton coming out for another inning?? And he got torched and everyone felt bad about it, especially the great man himself, and once again we saw Clayton trudging from the mound looking very disconsolate. A sight we have all seen too often. No more please.
I’m reading commentators suggesting he should start a game 4 should we win tonight!! I mean, WTF!!! This is the NLCS against a dangerous opponent. Just win.
The only time I wanna see Clayton coming outta the Bullpen gates is in a laugher in game 4 of the World Series with a 3-0 lead
to pitch the 9th inning. Now that would be cool.
He is not a reliever as he’s shown, he’s a Starter who’s had a great season, but unfortunately we have 4 Studs filling that role, and better options in long, and definitely Short relief.!
No time for sentiment. Just win.
Watford, where in Spain are you?
La Cala de Mijas – about 25 minutes from Malaga – not far from Marbella. Lovely spot. My brother has bought a nice place out here.
Just finished a beautiful whole Seabass and a bottle of Rose, and heading off for a couple of San Miguel’s before settling down to watch the game.
Hope you’re good.
100% agree, and yes Clayton is also my all time favorite Dodger. Doc has said unequivocally that Kersh is not a distraction. He is a benefit in the clubhouse. The rest of the team gets to watch a legend in how he prepares. He is no longer a recluse before games. He engages with everyone. You know the team wants him to win this for #22.
I am not sure he will get a game in the NLCS, but if LAD gets back to the WS, he will pitch in that Series. I hope he can close out the final game of the WS, with the Dodgers up by at least 5 runs, at home.
You are right they should never have put him on the roster except for one thing; he earned it. And don’t count the old man out. With all the heat from the pitchers they have used, his junk balling stuff could really affect their timing, but I would start him and not let him go past five, then use Sheehan as his piggyback. But I think the teams focus, and CK’s is on winning this series. In the 1959 season, Carl Furillo was injured most of the year, but he had two crucial at bats in the second playoff game against the Braves, he got hits in both at bats, his second one driving in the winning run to win the pennant. He did the same thing in the World Series. Furillo was 37 and definitely over the hill. He was then dumped while on the DL the next season, which at the time was against the rules. He most likely is simply on the roster as a gesture of respect, and most likely, will not see any action at all. I mean Michael Conforto is with the team and in the dugout and he doesn’t have a shot at seeing an at bat this series or if they advance to the big dance. And Kershaw by all things that are fair, was their second-best pitcher most of the year. 11-2 3.36 ERA, he allowed just 8 homers. May and Glasnow allowed more than that in less innings.
No way kershaw should start in this series. I don’t think we make the playoffs without him. but now that we are healthy he should not be an option unless injury or the game is way out of hand. He has been a great Dodger but let’s not put him into a situation where he could be the reason we lose. Milwaukee has a tremendous team and tremendous manager we better worry about winning period.
I love Kersh but no way you can say he is a better option to start over our top 4 starters. He had a great regular season no question, but his stuff can’t compare with Glasnow or Ohtani. Just look at Glasnow’s last start. Even with his best stuff, Kersh has struggled in October. For me his best option is to piggyback with Ohtani with a lead and a very short leash.
Wouldn’t mind seeing La Mis in Dodger Blue.
For the record. I wouldn’t be taking Glasnow out here.
Wah-Ooh!! Dodgers up 3-0. Nice bounce back by Sasaki.
Major love for our bullpen so far!! Vesia Treinen Banda were all calm cool collected.
Roki has achieved superstar status in LA already. Tomorrow night I either want him closing out this series, or Kershaw in a blowout closing out this series.
This run is reminding me of the Lakers 2001 playoff run (which also included a home game loss vs Philly)
Gritty win. Teo and Ohtani still chase way too many pitches that are out of the zone. Teo swung at a pitch that was so low a gopher could not have hit it.
Roki Dookie.
Funny, I’m not hearing any naysayers lobbying anymore for Mookie to move back to right field because he’s a defensive liability at Short.
As an ex-shortstop you won’t hear me criticize his arm angle on throws either. Just make plays. He’s gotten so much better thanks in a large part to Miggy’s tutoring.
I know Freddie has bailed Mooklie out when he was refining his mechanics but Freddie will tell you, that’s his job. He does it very well but it’s still his job. The good ones are like a net over there. You couldn’t throw one by John Olerud if you gave him any kind of a hop on a bounced throw.
Now, Ohtani piggybacked with Sheehan, next game?
I like it.
“As an ex-shortstop you won’t hear me criticize his arm angle on throws either”
I am surprised to hear you say that Phil.
I am a former shortstop myself. Played the position until I was 56. Coached it as well. I was taught to throw overhand for three reasons: strength and accuracy of throw and the fact bounced sidearm throws are more difficult for the first baseman to field. The ball will bounce the direction it is spinning. The only position on the field that sidearm throws are used with any frequency is from second base. Short throws. Third baseman don’t do it, outfielders don’t do it, catchers don’t do and very few pitchers do it.
After obvious difficulty at the beginning of the year Mookie has played the position quite well lately. I still believe his offensive numbers for the year suffered because of the switch so late in his career but he did come around with that too. On a related note, I also have lingering questions about Ohtani’s focus on pitching in the second half. It makes sense to me that the time and effort put into preparing for a starting pitching role may have something to do with what we are seeing from him at the plate.
Maybe I’m wrong about all of this. I learned baseball in the 50’s and early 60’s mostly from my grandfather who played professionally in the 20’s and 30’s. Baseball has certainly changed a lot since then, but, have fundamentals changed too? Maybe you can help me with that.
I love how these guys pass the baton. Mookie constantly giving credit to Miggy for all the help he’s had in becoming an excellent shortstop.
And to that end, Doc just told me he’s going to move Teo to shortstop next year (to get him out of right field) and ask Mookie to be his tutor. Just love how these guys help each other.
Ohtani pitching game four with Snell lined up for Game five if needed. Milwaukee is toast. They may have won six against LA in the regular season, but LA will win four when it counts the most.