Sat Oct 12 00:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Dodgers Roll the Dice with Yamamoto in Winner-Take-All Game 5
**LOS ANGELES -** The Los Angeles Dodgers will take a gamble on rookie right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in their do-or-die Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. The decision, made late Thursday, sets up a historic matchup with Padres ace Yu Darvish, marking the first time two Japanese-born starters have faced each other in an MLB postseason game.
Despite a shaky start to his MLB career and some struggles specifically against the Padres, the Dodgers are banking on Yamamoto’s immense potential. “I think if you look at Yoshinobu, he’s on his regular rest,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “We have really viable candidates behind him, but we all feel good about the decision for him to start.”
Yamamoto, the highest-paid pitcher in Major League history after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract this past winter, is only the fifth rookie to start a winner-take-all game in Dodgers history. He has faced criticism after allowing five runs in three innings in Game 1 of the NLDS, but Roberts expressed confidence in his pitcher’s recent adjustments.
Darvish, who has been equally vocal about his excitement for the historic matchup, expressed his friendship with Yamamoto and shared his pride in the growing presence of Japanese talent in MLB. “It’s really good to see all these players that come over here be successful,” Darvish said.
The pressure is on both pitchers to deliver in a game that could determine the fate of their respective teams. With the Padres looking for a historic upset and the Dodgers aiming to defend their title, Friday night’s game promises to be a tense and exciting showdown.
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