Shohei Ohtani might get to see his Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto go up against San Diego’s Yu Darvish in the important Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Darvish will be the starting pitcher for the Padres in the crucial game on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, where fans threw balls and trash on the field, causing a 12-minute delay during Game 2 last week.
“I’m really excited that he’s going to perhaps be facing Yoshinobu and being able to see Darvish potentially,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Ohtani had been looking forward to this matchup earlier in the series when Yoshinobu was set to pitch against Darvish in Game 2. However, the Dodgers moved Yoshinobu to start Game 1 instead.
In Game 2, Darvish allowed just one run and three hits—all singles—over seven innings, leading the Padres to a 10-2 victory. He confused Dodgers hitters by using seven different pitches and varying speeds. Darvish and Yamamoto are good friends, and Darvish was Ohtani’s idol growing up.
“Just for us to be able to go out there and pitch on the same day, a playoff game, I think it means a lot,” Darvish said through an interpreter.
Darvish last pitched at Dodger Stadium in an elimination game during the 2017 World Series. He started Game 7 for the Dodgers against the Houston Astros. After only 47 pitches, the Astros were ahead by five runs and went on to win the championship.
“I don’t focus on that time,” Darvish said. “But maybe it is the experience that I have accumulated up until today that’s making me feel calm right now.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not name a starting pitcher on Thursday but mentioned that Yamamoto “will be a part of it.” If he doesn’t start, he might come out of the bullpen.
The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed a total of 13 earned runs in three starts against the Padres this season. They scored three runs against Yamamoto, including a two-run homer by Manny Machado, in the first inning of Game 1.
“It’s just lack of command. When he hasn’t commanded the baseball, he hasn’t been really that good,” Roberts said. “But when he’s convicted and ripping it and attacking hitters with his pitch mix, he’s as good as anyone.”
Yamamoto is the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball. He signed a $325 million, 12-year contract with the Dodgers in December, after being recruited by Ohtani, who signed a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the team earlier that month.
In Game 1, Yamamoto allowed five runs, tying his season high, and seven out of the 16 batters he faced reached base. After the game, Roberts noted that the rookie might have been giving away his pitches.
“I think we’ve cleaned stuff up,” Roberts said, “and, to their credit, they did a good job scouting and stuff like that. But I think where Yoshinobu is at, I feel really comfortable.”
In a must-win Game 4, the Dodgers used eight relievers to shut out the Padres and won 8-0, setting up a dramatic finale between the two rivals on Friday.
Roberts hinted that the Dodgers might use a similar strategy, with six or seven relievers available. Jack Flaherty, who struggled as the starter in Game 2 and had a heated exchange with Machado, is also being considered.
“Somebody will show up and we’ll be ready for him,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said.
He remained unfazed by the Dodgers’ strategy, comparing his team’s approach to that of an NFL Hall of Fame coach known for his straightforward determination to win.
“We’re more like Vince Lombardi — power sweep, here it is, Yu Darvish is going to start, here’s our lineup,” Shildt said. “This is who we are and we’re going to compete and execute. If we do that, we’ll shake hands and pop champagne.”
Injured shortstop Miguel Rojas won’t be in the Dodgers’ starting lineup on Friday, but he will be available to pinch hit. Tommy Edman will start at shortstop, and Roberts did not disclose who will replace Edman in center field.
