Yoshinobu Yamamoto targets Padres rematch after May's tough-luck loss
Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for the Dodgers against the Padres on Saturday with revenge on his mind, targeting a mid-May Petco Park loss when he allowed one run on three hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts in a 1-0 defeat. The reigning World Series MVP faces Randy Vásquez as Los Angeles tries to even the series.
The Dodgers dropped Friday's opener 7-1 to former ace Walker Buehler, who worked 5.1 strong innings for San Diego. Los Angeles had swept the Minnesota Twins before arriving in San Diego but was held to one run by Buehler and four relievers. For more rivalry coverage, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Yamamoto allowed one run on three hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings in May but was charged with the 1-0 loss.
- He enters Saturday at 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA across 14 starts, opposing Randy Vásquez (6-5, 4.17 ERA).
- The Dodgers hold an eight-game National League West lead; the Padres won Friday 7-1 behind Buehler.
- Kyle Tucker was dropped to seventh in the lineup, with Tommy Edman batting sixth for manager Dave Roberts.
- First pitch is 5:40 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA and the MLB app.
Why Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto Motivated Against the Padres?
When Yamamoto last faced San Diego in mid-May, he turned in seven dominant innings with eight strikeouts while surrendering just one run on three hits. The Dodgers offense could not push a run across, and the right-hander was saddled with a 1-0 loss that undersold his performance on the mound.
According to MLB.com, avenging that tough-luck May outing is on his to-do list in this rematch. Yahoo Sports notes the Dodgers ultimately took two of three from San Diego in that May series after the Padres won the opener.
How Has Yamamoto Pitched Since That May Start?
Since the Petco Park duel, Yamamoto followed his May outing with four consecutive starts in which he allowed one run or fewer. His most recent start against Baltimore yielded three runs across six innings, but his overall line remains sharp at a 2.65 ERA with 86 strikeouts over 91.2 innings.
Yahoo Sports reports he has registered that ERA across 91.2 innings this season. Los Angeles enters the weekend at 52-29 and leads the division by nine games, while San Diego sits at 42-37 after sweeping the Atlanta Braves.
Who Is on the Mound for the Padres?
Randy Vásquez gets the start after Kyle Hart is expected to open. Vásquez is 6-5 with a 4.17 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 77.2 innings, but his season has cooled after a hot start. He is coming off his worst outing of the year, lasting just 3.1 innings while allowing seven runs against Texas.
Against the Dodgers in May, Vásquez allowed three runs on six hits across 4.1 innings with zero strikeouts. Yahoo Sports reports that at one point this season he was the Padres' best pitcher, making Saturday a pivotal test for both right-handers.
What Does the Dodgers Lineup Look Like?
Manager Dave Roberts made a notable shuffle for Game 2. Shohei Ohtani leads off as designated hitter, followed by Andy Pages, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy. Tommy Edman moves up to sixth in left field, while Kyle Tucker drops to seventh in right field.
Dalton Rushing catches and Alex Freeland plays second base. The rest of the order matches Friday's card. Roberts is betting that a reordered heart of the order can unlock the offense that Buehler silenced in the series opener.
What Is at Stake in This NL West Series?
San Diego entered the weekend on a high after sweeping the Atlanta Braves, while Los Angeles arrived riding momentum from a three-game sweep of Minnesota. The Padres won the first game of the teams' May set before the Dodgers took the final two to claim that series.
Sunday's finale pairs Emmet Sheehan against Michael King, who threw seven scoreless innings against Los Angeles in May. But Saturday belongs to Yamamoto and the chance to flip the script on a night when his pitching deserved far more than a zero in the win column.