Yoshinobu Yamamoto might just be the most humble ace in baseball. After delivering a career-best eight-inning, two-run gem against the Miami Marlins, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star pitcher seemed genuinely perplexed when asked about his achievement. “I’m not sure what exactly… what I actually achieved today?” he responded through an interpreter. Let’s clear that up, Yoshi.

What Yoshinobu Yamamoto achieved was a slice of MLB history. Those 19 straight strikes to start the game? No Dodgers pitcher has ever accomplished that since pitch tracking began back in 2000. He effectively painted the corners, forcing the Marlins to swing at everything early and often miss.

But Yamamoto’s dominance didn’t stop there. While the leadoff homer by Jazz Chisholm Jr. might have rattled some pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto regained his composure with surgical precision. “I stayed calm, and I was being able to execute my pitch with good mechanics,” he explained. That poise translated into a mere five hits and zero walks across those masterful eight innings.

This wasn’t a fluke, either. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is in the midst of a stellar stretch, lowering his ERA to a sparkling 2.79. It’s a testament to his ever-increasing comfort level on and off the mound. “He’s in a really comfortable spot,” manager Dave Roberts noted, “and his pitching is mirroring that.”

While Yamamoto might be unsure of his achievements, those around him certainly aren’t. “Fan-tas-tic!” Roberts exclaimed about his pitcher’s outing. This was simply another confirmation that the Blue Crews’ faith (and massive contract) in the Japanese star is paying dividends. Of course, Yoshinobu Yamamoto wouldn’t have had this success without a little help. 

Beyond Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Dodgers’ depth on display

Max Muncy’s grand slam was a much-needed spark. After a sluggish start to the season, seeing him put one over the fence—the opposite field at that!—is a promising sign. Muncy’s power is a key element of the Dodgers’ lineup, and if he’s finding his groove alongside guys like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, you better watch out.

Gavin Lux’s first homer of 2024 deserves extra attention. After a frustrating, injury-riddled 2023, seeing him get back on the board has to feel extra sweet. “He’s been working incredibly hard,” Roberts noted after the game. “It’s great to see him get rewarded.”

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The slugger himself summed up playing behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto perfectly: “He’s just going to keep getting better. He’s been really fun to play defense behind.” But his own potential has always been there; could this be his breakout season?

Let’s not forget the unsung heroes, either. Andy Pages quietly delivered a clutch sacrifice fly, and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt by Marlins’ catcher Christian Bethancourt helped the Dodgers extend their lead. These under-the-radar plays contribute to the overall momentum and can turn the tide of a game.

Speaking of unsung heroes, with the Dodgers’ bullpen decimated by injuries, it was J.P. Feyereisen who came in to finish things off. A clean inning to seal the win—that’s invaluable for a team working through pitching woes. It might not be the flashiest job, but those late-inning relievers can make or break a team as the season wears on. Now, coming back to the star of the show, is Yoshinobu Yamamoto the true co-ace the Dodgers hoped for alongside Tyler Glasnow? Nobody knows.

But right now, he’s delivering those ‘win-day’ performances that keep LA surging. And maybe, just maybe, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets more comfortable, he’ll start to understand exactly how special his talent truly is.