4-25-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Heading into the Dodgers series with slightly less momentum but still feeling good following a series victory in Anaheim, the Pirates will face off against one of the hottest pitchers in MLB, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Coming off a World Series-winning rookie season where Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA over 90 innings pitched due to injuries, Yoshi is looking to take the next step with his career in the States.
Among qualified pitchers this season, Yamamoto ranks 2nd in ERA (0.93), 4th in K% (35.2%), 10th in WHIP (0.86) and 11th in BAA (.178).
He also has the 6th best whiff rate (33.2%) and 3rd best ground-ball rate (63.5%) so it’s definitely going to be a challenge for the Buccos tonight.
Yamamoto has 7 distinct pitches that he will offer up against hitters but – at least early on this season – has mostly leaned on his mid-90s 4-seam fastball, high-70s curve and a low-90s splitter that is definitely going to be a problem.
As can be expected with a ground-ball pitcher – even one who gets excellent strikeout numbers – Yamamoto works low in the zone with all of his pitches and has been more effective against lefties (.194 wOBA) than righties (.284 wOBA) with all three of his earned runs coming from right handed hitters.
It’s going to be a grind of a game – and series honestly – as the Dodgers are obviously a dangerous opponent but team will want to work counts and try to get to the bullpen sooner than later. Dodgers relievers rank 18th in MLB with a 4.08 ERA this season so chances against them are much better than with Yoshi.
Steel City Pirates 