![\"Cubs'](\"https:\/\/wp.clutchpoints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Cubs-news-Craig-Counsell-gets-brutally-honest-on-Yoshinobu-Yamamotos-nasty-pitch.jpg?w=700\")
<\/p>\nCubs’ Manager Complimented The Dodgers Ace For His Trademark Pitch<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell couldn’t help but give Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto his props even in defeat.<\/p>\n
Yamamoto threw 72 pitches for five innings and struck out four as the Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-1 in the opening game of the Tokyo Series in Japan.<\/p>\n
The Cubs jumped out to a 1-0 lead after catcher Miguel Amaya hit a double to right field to bring in Dansby Swanson in the second inning.<\/p>\n
Counsell pulled starter Shota Imanaga after he threw 69 pitches in four no-hit innings.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead. Yamamoto was taken out in the fifth before the bullpen held the Cubs to one run for the remaining four innings.<\/p>\n
In the ninth inning, Teoscar Hernandez hit an RBI single to left field to bring in Shohei Ohtani from third to increase the Dodgers lead.<\/p>\n
Yamamoto’s performance on the mound played a prominent role in keeping the Dodgers in the game.<\/p>\n
Counsell complimented Yamamoto’s ability to use the splitter pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis splits were outstanding\u2026it\u2019s a tough pitch to lay off,\u201d Counsell said per Fabian Aradya of The Athletic.<\/p>\n
Yamamoto is known for his trademark splitter. MLB scouts said his splitter would be his best out pitch.<\/p>\n
Yamamoto is a native of Bizen, Japan. He is entering his second season with the Dodgers after starting in 18 games. He went 7-2, collected 105 strikeouts, and finished with a 3.00 ERA.<\/p>\n
Yamamoto pitched in Game 2 of the World Series against the Yankees. He threw for 6 1\/3 innings, allowed only one hit, and the Dodgers won 4-2 before clinching the World Series.<\/p>\n
Counsell is entering his second season as the Cubs manager. In November 2023, he signed a five-year contract worth over $40 million, making him the highest-paid manager in MLB history in average and total value.<\/p>\n
The Cubs finished the 2024 season with an 83-79 record, equaling their record from the year prior. They fell short of the playoffs.<\/p>\n
Chicago and LA play two more games in Tokyo on March 18 and March 19 at 7:00 pm JST.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cubs’ Manager Complimented The Dodgers Ace For His Trademark Pitch Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell couldn’t help but give Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto his props… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44586,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n