by Mark Langill
When Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 2024 postseason debut with the Dodgers against the Padres in Game 1 of the National League Division Series didn’t turn out as planned, he took a break.
A coffee break.
Beyond a caffeine boost, it was an early example of how much his teammates believe in him.
After a casual conversation and pep talk from teammate Kiké Hernández, at the team’s hotel and away from the spotlight, Yamamoto was back on track and the Dodgers eventually won a World Series championship with the right-handed pitcher being a central figure.
The subject of Yamamoto and Hernandez having coffee together arose last month when Hernández appeared at a Stadium Club luncheon. A Yamamoto fan had heard the story and thanked Hernández for extending a hand to a teammate when he might’ve needed it the most.
“I just wanted to see where his head was at,” Hernández told the fan. “What made me do it? It was my desire to win. And I knew we were going to need him in a big way, if we were going to win. Not just beat the Padres but win the World Series.”
A year later, the Dodgers need him again.
Yamamoto starts Game 2 of the World Series tonight in Toronto with the Dodgers down 1–0.
It feels so long ago, but Yamamoto’s last start was Oct. 14 — a complete game victory against the Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.
Yamamoto became the first Dodger to pitch a postseason complete game since José Lima in 2004 in the Division Series against St. Louis.
Yamamoto is starting a World Series Game 2 for the second year in a row.
In Game 2 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, Yamamoto allowed only one hit in 6 1/3 innings — a solo home run by Juan Soto — in a 4–2 victory that gave Los Angeles a 2–0 series lead.
“He’s had the experience from last year,” said catcher Will Smith. “He is so focused right now, it’s going to be a fun night for him. I have high expectations for him as always. But, yeah, no, he’s just a competitor. He throws strike one. Gets ahead. He’s got nasty stuff. Just really makes it tough on hitters.”
It’s still natural for Yamamoto to feel nervous, something he admitted on Friday.
But one can have both nervous energy and remain confident in his ability.
“I just take every game, whether if it’s a regular season game or a playoff or World Series game, I just take it as similar as possible,” he said. “Right now I think I’m in a pretty good position mentally.”
If Yamamoto continues his hot postseason this year, he’ll be the talk of the town.
Especially in coffee shops.
2025 World Series: Yamamoto hopes to ride October roll was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.