Yoshinobu Yamamoto reveals the mindset behind his Game 6 performance against the Blue Jays

The The Los Angeles Dodgers survived a tense Game 6 against the Toronto Blue Jays, winning 3-1 and forcing a deciding Game 7 in 2025. World Series on Saturday night at the Rogers Center. The win was built on another impressive start Yoshinobu Yamamotostellar bullpen relief, and timely hitting by Mookie Betts and Will Smith.

Yamamoto shut the Blue Jays down over six innings of one-hit ball, allowing just one George Springer RBI single in the third inning, issuing just one walk while striking out six on 96 pitches. It was his third straight postseason start, allowing no more than five hits, one run and one walk while recording five or more strikeouts, a feat unprecedented in MLB history.

In his three World Series starts, Yamamoto now owns a 1.27 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 10 hits in 21⅓ innings. His postseason total for the year includes 34⅔ innings, the fourth-most ever in a single postseason by a Los Angeles pitcher, trailing only Orel Hershiser (1988), Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Jerry Royce (1981).

When asked about his approach in high pressure situationsYamamoto told Tom Verducci through his translator after the game:

“I believed in myself, I believed in my teammates and I just wanted to do my job.”

“I believed in myself, I believed in my teammates and I just wanted to do my job”

Yoshinobu Yamamoto spoke to Tom Verducci about his strong pitching performance as his team faced elimination pic.twitter.com/UIhBTGKR0k

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His reliability at the plate was a lifesaver for the Dodgers, especially given their scoring woes, as he yielded just four runs in 29 innings before a three-run second inning in Game 6. That inning, led by hits from Smith and Betts, provided one of Los Angeles’ most memorable moments in the series.

Toronto threatened in the ninth inning with runners on second and third and no outs, but Dodgers rookie Tyler Glasnow, a potential Game 7 starter, retired the side in just three runs. Quique Hernandez ended the rally with a game-ending double play, throwing out Miguel Rojas to double off Addison Barger. Toronto went 1-for-9 with players in scoring position throughout the game.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined to name a Game 7 starter, but conceded Shohei Ohtani as a possibility on three days of rest. The bullpen, including Justin Wrobleski, Rocky Sasaki and Glasnow, remains completely accessible after combining for three scoreless innings to close out Game 6.

Tied 3-3, Saturday’s winner-take-all Game 7 at Rogers Center will determine whether Los Angeles wins its second straight title or the Blue Jays win their first championship since 1993.