Dodgers' Yamamoto Said 'Losing is Not an Option' in World Series, Reveals Dave Roberts

The Los Angeles Dodgers needed a bounce-back performance in Game 2 of the World Series after dropping the first contest, so they turned to their pitcher who does not see losing as an option.

And Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered.

Yamamoto allowed just one run and four hits while striking out eight in a complete-game masterpiece during Saturday's 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Los Angeles evened the series as a result and now has home-field advantage with an opportunity to win back-to-back titles.

"He said before the Series, 'Losing is not an option,'" manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "And he had that look tonight."

Catcher Will Smith called the performance "special," while shortstop Mookie Betts said, "Amazing. I've been playing a long time, but I haven't ever seen anything like this."

For his part, Yamamoto told reporters he is staying aggressive and said, "My pitching style is just keep attacking the zone."

It was more of the same for Yamamoto after he also pitched a complete game in the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed one run, three hits and one walk while striking out seven in that one, which was also Game 2 of the series.

"The process of him reading and reacting each inning, trying to get an idea of what they're trying to do, and then just trying to pivot and counter with his stuff and his arsenal—he's in a very good spot right now," pitching coach Mark Prior said. "He feels very good with everything that he's doing."

Being "good with everything that he's doing" has allowed the bullpen to completely rest in each of his last two starts. It has also caught the eye of his legendary teammate.

"The way Yosh is throwing right now and the way we're built right now, he could throw 150 pitches if he wants," Clayton Kershaw said.

"I just think the way he throws the baseball is like perfect. No wasted movement. So efficient. He came here with a fastball, curveball, split and now he's throwing sinkers, cutters, sliders. So, he's got six pitches with command that he uses really well."

Yamamoto didn't need much run support in his latest outing, but the Dodgers provided it with a combination of small ball and power.

Smith and Muncy each launched solo home runs in the seventh inning with the former giving the visitors the lead for good. The Dodgers also scored twice in the eighth inning off a wild pitch and a fielder's choice.

Smith drove in three of the team's four runs while catching Yamamoto in a performance that also stood out.

It gave the Dodgers plenty of momentum, and they will look to build on that Monday in front of their home fans in Game 3.