Winning when it wasn’t easy
Yamamoto earned his 100th win in a Dodgers 4-3 victory over the Mets. But the outing wasn’t clean. He struggled with command, needing 52 pitches to get through the first three innings. His fastball and splitter weren’t crisp. Three walks and pressure in the first, third, and fifth innings tested his resolve. He escaped most of it — until an RBI single allowed the Mets to score.
Still, the right-hander showed enough control to keep the game within reach. He limited damage and gave Los Angeles six innings. That wasn’t just skill — it was a display of mental toughness. It’s no secret that Yamamoto has evolved since arriving in the majors. But this performance offered a window into the mindset that helps him win when he’s not at his best.
A long road built on adjustment
Yamamoto’s 100 wins include 70 with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan and 30 with the Dodgers. His early career was anything but assured. He was taken in the fourth round out of high school in Japan and reached NPB at 19. But he didn’t stop there. He overhauled his delivery, despite pushback, and transformed into one of Japan’s best pitchers.
That growth led to a $325 million, 12-year deal with Los Angeles. But the hurdles didn’t stop there. A shoulder injury early in his MLB tenure cost him three months. Since then, he’s bounced back, winning two World Series and a World Series MVP award. Saturday’s game reinforced a theme — Yamamoto wins by adapting.
More than a pitch, it’s a process
Yamamoto’s value is more than his fastball and splitter. It’s in how he prepares, how he listens, and how he adjusts. He’s a pitcher who thrives in October not just because of his stuff, but because of his discipline. And Saturday’s 100th win wasn’t a fluke — it was a pattern. Yamamoto gave the Dodgers six innings under pressure and gave his team a chance. That’s what makes him special.