Yamamoto Leads Dodgers Against Brewers in NLCS Game 2

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start NLCS Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 11, against the Milwaukee Brewers as the team tries to even the series after an opening-game loss. The 28-year-old pitcher enters the matchup with a strong postseason record.

According to USA Today, Yamamoto delivered a complete-game performance against the Brewers in the 2025 NLCS, allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 Dodgers victory. He later won World Series MVP after helping Los Angeles capture the title.

Yamamoto started two World Series games against the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, earning wins in both while allowing two runs over 15 innings. He also closed Game 7 with 2 2/3 scoreless innings as the Dodgers won 5-4 in 11 innings.

The Dodgers entered Game 2 after losing the series opener to Milwaukee, while the Brewers gained a 1-0 lead. Fox News reported that Yamamoto had allowed one earned run over seven innings with 10 strikeouts in his only postseason start this year against the Atlanta Braves.

"There are a lot of people who will say that this series, for all intents and purposes, is the World Series. I’m sure most think whoever escapes the National League Championship Series will end up as the winner," the Fox News columnist wrote.

The Dodgers have won 10 of Yamamoto’s 11 postseason appearances since he joined the team, according to Fox News. Across those games, he has allowed 15 earned runs in 63 innings.

"I’m not quite sure I fit that description. I think it is possible the Rays, and maybe to a lesser extent the Guardians, could beat either of these teams, but the NL will likely have the favorite in the World Series," the Fox News columnist wrote.

USA Today reported that Yamamoto’s 2026 regular season included 22 quality starts, tying him for the major league lead with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez. His strikeout-to-walk rate of 4.33 ranked 11th in the majors.

Yamamoto’s pitching mix includes a four-seam fastball reaching 99 mph, a sinker around 95 mph, a split-finger fastball around 91 mph, a curveball near 77 mph and an 87 mph slider, according to USA Today.

Milwaukee planned to counter with Logan Henderson, who finished the regular season with an 11-3 record, a 2.47 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. Fox News reported Henderson allowed one earned run over 12 innings in two regular-season appearances against the Dodgers.