Dominant Performances on the Mound
The Dodgers completed a sweep over the Cubs, with standout contributions from their trio of Japanese stars. In the Tokyo Series opener, Yoshinobu Yamamoto secured the win, while rookie Roki Sasaki allowed just one run over three innings in the following game. Shohei Ohtani continued his offensive rhythm by driving in a pivotal home run, improving his performance to 3-for-8 for the week.
A Memorable Photo Moment
After the game, the players gathered for a quick photo session back on home soil. A striking image captured Yamamoto, who stands at 5-foot-10, standing on his tiptoes between taller teammates Ohtani, at 6-foot-3, and Sasaki, at 6-foot-2. Despite his dynamic role on the mound, the height contrast instantly caught the eyes of many, underscoring the unique camaraderie among the players. Additional snapshots later in the day further highlighted the visual differences, particularly when other Japanese players joined the group.
Impact on the Season and Beyond
Yamamoto closed a season marked by strong numbers, finishing with a 7-2 record, a 3.00 ERA, and a 1.111 WHIP while averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings and posting a 1.8 WAR. Although a right shoulder injury limited him to 18 starts, his performance positioned him as a contender for NL Rookie of the Year. In the postseason, Yamamoto added to his impressive resume with a 2-0 record and a 3.86 ERA over four starts, playing a key role in leading the Dodgers to a World Series championship during the inaugural year of his 12-year, $325 million contract.