In a tense matchup at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, Yoshinobu Yamamoto kept the Los Angeles Dodgers in contention through five innings, throwing 101 pitches and striking out eight batters. Despite giving up three runs, his performance helped keep the game tied at 3-3 when he exited the mound, setting the stage for a potential Dodgers comeback.
Manager Dave Roberts praised Yamamoto’s effort, calling him “fantastic” ahead of the game, reflecting the confidence in the Japanese ace. Yamamoto’s season numbers reinforce his value, sitting at 8-7 with a 2.59 ERA, 116 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.04 after 20 starts, showcasing his ability to control games even during challenging times for the Dodgers.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto went 5 innings on the mound against the Twins tonight throwing a total of 101 pitches:
8 K
3 R
1 BB
5 H
12 Whiffs
Give his start for the Dodgers a grade ⏬pic.twitter.com/L7YiN0T61m
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 23, 2025
This strong outing by Yamamoto was a rare bright spot for the Dodgers, as he held the Twins to five hits while walking just one batter. His ability to rack up 12 whiffs highlights his dominance on the mound early in the game.
Dodgers’ Bullpen Falters Despite Starter’s Performance
Once Yamamoto left the game, the Dodgers bullpen faltered dramatically. Reliever Ben Casparius failed to record an out, conceding three earned runs on one hit and issuing three walks that handed the Minnesota Twins the lead. This meltdown underscored ongoing concerns about the Dodgers’ relief pitching, which has been inconsistent throughout the season.
Dave Roberts expressed frustration regarding Casparius’s struggles, pointing to command issues despite his heavy reliance on the cutter.
Relying heavily on the cutter, fastball command isn’t there.. I don’t know the answer, he’s getting opportunities, but the bottom line is, you still have to perform. He’s working hard.
Roberts’ candid remarks reflect the urgency in addressing bullpen weaknesses that threaten the Dodgers’ success.
The broader pitching difficulties have contributed to the team’s recent decline, as the reigning champions have lost seven of their last ten games. Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers maintain a 3.5-game lead in the NL West over the San Diego Padres. Roberts’s assessment was brutally straightforward when asked if the team had hit its lowest point:
It better be rock bottom as far as how we’ve been pitching, how we’ve been playing defense… It’s been a tough watch.
Dodgers Aim to Rebound in Series Finale
With the series tied after Tuesday’s 10-7 defeat, the Dodgers turn to Tyler Glasnow for the final game against Minnesota’s Chris Paddack on Wednesday. Paddack’s struggles this season (3-9 record) offer hope the Dodgers can regain momentum and secure the series victory at home.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers anticipate bolstering their rotation with the returns of Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell, which could strengthen their pitching corps as they fight for postseason positioning. These reinforcements, combined with Yamamoto’s consistent performances and Glasnow’s steady improvements, might provide the necessary steps to regain the dominant form expected from the World Champions.
However, the immediate focus remains on Wednesday’s decisive game, where the Dodgers must avoid a second straight home series loss to maintain control of the division race and keep their playoff aspirations alive.