by Megan Garcia
Two nights in Milwaukee further put Dodger starting pitching into the lead of national postseason conversations.
The Dodgers have gone 7–1 through three rounds of the playoffs, thus far. Dodger starters have recorded seven quality starts in those games — two of them being history-making.
The latest bit of that rotation excellence was illustrated by Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers.
During Tuesday’s 5–1 win, Yamamoto became the first Dodger starter to throw a complete game in the postseason in 21 years. Right-hander José Lima was the last to do it when he threw a shutout in Game 3 of the 2004 NLDS against the Cardinals.
It was also the first complete postseason game since Justin Verlander in Game 2 of the 2017 American League Championship Series.
“I just heard this was the first (complete game) in eight years ,” Yamamoto said. “I think (it was) great for me that I established my rhythm and then I dictated the tempo based off the game.”
With Yamamoto’s complete one-run game, the Dodger rotation lowered its ERA to 1.54 in the postseason — the best among all active postseason teams. The Mariners’ rotation ranks second with a 2.38 ERA.
Dodger starters have 63 strikeouts.
“If you look at the construction of our roster currently, the strength is our starting pitching,” said manager Dave Roberts. “And when you can have your most talented pitchers get the most outs, then you’re in a good spot.
“All four of those guys are in a really good headspace. Physically, they’re sound. You feel good about those guys starting a game and pushing them. They’re prepared for this.”
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Tuesday’s goal was to get Yamamoto back on track after he gave up three runs in four innings on six hits in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies.
He exceeded that goal.
It was common to see this type of performance out of Yamamoto through the season — attacking hitters and going deep, while also being even-keeled.
Yamamoto pitched into the sixth inning in 20 of his 30 regular-season starts. He had a 1.27 ERA with 152 strikeouts in those outings.
It’s been business as usual in October.
“I see a real confidence. I think that’s what it is. I think that last year, certainly, there (was) a transition — and even in the postseason, I didn’t give him a whole lot of leash,” Roberts said of Yamamoto’s growth in the postseason. “But I think this year he’s got true confidence from me that third time through (the lineup), at pitch 90. He feels that he’s the best option. For me, that just gives me that confidence.”
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Yamamoto has pitched six or more innings in two postseason starts this year. The Brewers were the only team to score against him in those outings. Overall, opposing hitters are batting .178 against him.
Dodger starters own the best opposing batting average in the postseason at .133.
Their seven quality starts lead postseason teams in 2025. They also match the 2013 and 1988 teams. The 1981 Dodgers hold the record for the most quality starts in a single postseason in franchise history, with 11.
Blake Snell has three of the Dodgers’ quality starts. He has allowed two hits and no runs over his last two postseason starts over 14 innings. Opponents are hitting .090 against him.
The Dodgers return to Los Angeles with Tyler Glasnow starting Game 3 on Thursday. Shohei Ohtani will start Game 4 on Friday.
Glasnow and Ohtani each went six innings in their NLDS starts against Philadelphia. Glasnow allowed two hits and no runs in Game 4.
2025 NLCS: The Dodger rotation is rolling was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.