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The Los Angeles Dodgers took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday at American Family Field behind starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s dominant complete game in their 5-1 victory.
The last complete game in the postseason prior to Yamamoto’s was by Justin Verlander in 2017 for the Houston Astros against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALCS. There was exactly eight years between Verlander’s and Yamamoto’s complete games. It was the first complete game of Yamamoto’s MLB career.
It didn’t look like Yamamoto was destined to go the distance after the first batter he saw, Brewers right fielder Jackson Chourio, hammered a fastball into the right field seats to give the Brewers a quick 1-0 lead.
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates throwing a complete game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. The game took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2025. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
But the star pitcher settled down and gave up just two more hits the rest of the game. Yamamoto’s final line was nine innings, one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven Brewers.
“I reset my mind (after Chourio’s homer) and then I just focused on making my own pitches,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter.
Yamamoto’s gem in Game 2 came a night after two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell allowed one hit over eight shutout innings in a 2-1 win.
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates throwing a complete game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. The game took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2025. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
“We said before this postseason started that our starting pitching was going to be what carried us,” said third baseman Max Muncy, who set a Dodgers record by hitting his 14th career postseason homer in the win. “And so far, it’s been exactly that.”
The Dodgers finished the regular season strong and have continued their strong play into the postseason. After winning nine of their last 11 regular season games, the Dodgers are 7-1 in the postseason.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith and Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrate after Game 2 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2025. (Morry Gash/AP Photo)
“Our whole team is playing the best baseball we’ve played all year,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Focus, the concentration level is at its highest and we peak at the right time.”
Game 3 of the NLCS between the Dodgers and Brewers is scheduled for Thursday at 6:08 PM ET, the first game of the series that will take place at Dodger Stadium.
