Yoshinobu Yamamoto is doing what “The Greatest Showman” did years ago. That movie started rather slowly but it just kept growing and growing. By the end, it was a bonafide hit. The Japanese superstar too had a disastrous debut. However, game after game that debut looks like a bad memory, a giant anomaly. With his performances becoming more consistent, one wonders just what has led to such improvements for the Los Angeles Dodgers ace.

Just a day after bees and walk-off homers made the Arizona Diamondbacks taste a win against the Dodgers, the Yamamoto storm hit the Snakes. For the second time in a row, Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a shutout game. In six innings, the ace gave up just five hits and struck out five in what proved to be a dominating 8-0 win for the Blue Crew.

“I think I’ve been able to keep calm,” Yoshinobu Yamamoto said during his postgame conference. “That’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to execute my pitches.” However, his growth has also come from increased comfortability. For his initial games, the pitcher was still trying to get used to the changed atmosphere in the United States.

“There are some differences here and in Japan. Such as pitch clocks. I think I’m able to get myself used to it. So I’m feeling more comfortable,” Yamamoto said. It’s been a long journey for the pitcher who was almost written off after his disastrous debut where he allowed five runs in a single inning. However, ever since then, Yamamoto has just a 1.64 ERA. 

But the man most happy with the pitcher’s growth is the Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts. Doc has always shown belief in Yamamoto and now that trust has started to pay off.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s growing confidence gives Los Angeles Dodgers another edge

“He’s continuing to build confidence and with the confidence he’s finishing all of his throws,” Dave Roberts said (via MLB.com). “The fastball has life, it’s in the zone, it’s commanded. The curveball played really well tonight, as did the split.” 

It’s been a long time coming but Yamamoto’s hot streak might just have begun. The Dodgers have already seen Shohei Ohtani’s purple patch. In fact, they’re currently seeing the huge consistency of Mookie Betts. But now with even Yamamoto going through this highly confident phase, the Men in Blue certainly look like a formidable bunch.

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So does it mean that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slowly becoming the frontrunner for the Cy Young or Rookie of the Year award? Maybe it does. However, with another Japanese star (Shota Imanaga) aiming for it, it sure will be a battle worth watching.