DODGERS NEWS: Yoshinobu Yamamoto talks about ‘reset’ after taming Guardians

The Dodgers got back in the win column with another clutch start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s figured out how to remain fresh.

May 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) looks to throw a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a two-game skid Monday with a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians thanks to a dominant performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Dodgers’ ace seems to have a knack for getting the team back on track as Yamamoto stopped a four-game losing streak in his last start.

The second-year pro has been sensational this season. And after LA’s win over Cleveland, Yamamoto explained his process for remaining fresh from start to start.

“Every week, every outing, I reset my mind, everything. Completely reset. Whether it was good or bad, I try not to take it into the next outing,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter, via SpotsNet LA on X.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to dominate for the Dodgers

May 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
David Richard-Imagn Images

Whatever he’s doing, it’s working. On Monday, Yamamoto allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over six innings.

Although he was keeping the Guardians in check – the Dodgers had a 5-2 advantage entering the seventh inning – manager Dave Roberts made the decision to pull Yamamoto early after a 110-pitch outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks last week.

With the most recent win, Yoshinobu improved to 6-3 on the season with a minuscule 1.97 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched. He entered the game with an utterly dominant 211 ERA+ and sub-1.0 WHIP.

And in Monday’s matchup, Yamamoto displayed his fielding prowess as well, making a sensational play on a bunt that got past first baseman Freddie Freeman. Realizing he was the only Dodger with a chance to make the play, the pitcher cleanly picked the ball and beat Will Wilson to first, making a lunging tag to record the out.

While Yamamoto’s MLB debut last season was everything the Dodgers could have hoped for, the 26-year-old righty has elevated his game in his second year, stabilizing a rotation that’s experienced more than its share of injuries in 2025.

Of course, the Dodgers’ offense provided plenty of run support for their ace on Monday. And Shohei Ohtani went deep, retaking the MLB home run lead with his 19th bomb of the season.

With the win, LA is 33-21 on the year and sits atop the NL West. The team has a two-game lead over the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, who are tied for second in the division.

Related Posts

Mets’ Jonah Tong accomplishes feat that hasn’t been seen in 90 years

New York Mets starting pitcher Jonah Tong accomplished a feat during his MLB debut that hasn’t been seen in 90 years.

Mets still in the hunt — but can they fix their biggest flaws before October?

Three things to watch for as the Mets enter the final month of the season

May Met Augustitude be Forgot « Faith and Fear in Flushing

The trumpeter who scores the postgame scurry to the 7 on Mets Plaza made an interesting musical choice in the minutes following the fresh 5-1 loss the Marlins had inflicted upon the Mets inside Citi Field. He played “Auld Lang Syne,” a number usually reserved for December 31 rather than August 31. I wondered if the wistful tune struck him as appropriate as we were bidding goodbye to summer on this late Sunday afternoon, or because the Mets have been dropping the ball with such force that they might be called on to re-enact their core incompetency in Times Square come New Year’s Eve.

Benches clear in Marlins-Mets game after heated exchange

Tempers flared during Sunday’s game between the Miami Marlins and New York Mets after a batter was hit by a pitch, and a heated exchange led to both

Yankees rookie pitcher is turning heads with electric velocity

Yankees rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler is breaking out with electric stuff, quickly emerging as a potential frontline starter for the future.

Aaron Judge Ties Yogi Berra on All-Time Yankees List

Aaron Judge continues to make his push toward his third MVP award of his career. While Judge, and the New York Yankees, have struggled over the past few months,…