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The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday at American Family Field thanks to starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s dominant complete game in their 5-1 victory.
The last complete playoff game before Yamamoto’s was Justin Verlander’s in 2017 for the Houston Astros against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALCS. Verlander and Yamamoto’s complete games were exactly eight years apart. 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, hit a fastball into the right field seats to give the Brewers an early 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 the National Baseball League Championship Series. The match took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2025. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
But the star pitcher calmed down and allowed only two more hits the rest of the game. Yamamoto’s final line lasted nine innings, one run on three hits and one walk, while striking out seven Brewers.
“I changed my mind (after Chourio’s homer) and then focused on making my own pitches,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter.
Yamamoto’s gem of Game 2 came a night after two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell allowed one hit in 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 the National Baseball League Championship Series. The match took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2025. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
“We said before the playoffs started that our starting pitcher would be what carried us,” said third baseman Max Muncy, who set a Dodgers record by hitting his 14th career postseason home run in the victory. “And so far, that’s exactly it.”
The Dodgers finished the regular season strong and continued their good play in 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 the National Baseball League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The match took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2025. (Morry Gash/AP Photo)
“Our entire team is playing the best baseball we’ve played all year,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The concentration level is at an all-time high and we are peaking at the right time.”
Game 3 of the NLCS between the Dodgers and Brewers is scheduled for Thursday at 6:08 p.m. ET, the first game of the series to take place at Dodger Stadium.