NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 4, 2024

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Obviously we recently heard now you'll be starting Game 1. When did you find out and how have you been preparing yourself for this NLDS Game 1 start?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I was told I was going to start Game 1 when I was working out.

Q. Just the preparation for the postseason, obviously we saw your start in New York and how you rose to the occasion in such a big performance, how has previous experience in big games helped prepare you for what this postseason could look like?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Because I like to focus on, of course, winning. And I want to get myself ready to go out there with a good condition, physically and mentally. And also I have experience in the big game. But this is my first MLB playoff. So it's going to be a big one because I'm going to try to do my best to contribute for the team.

Q. You talked about watching Kenta Maeda pitch in the playoffs for the Dodgers and how inspiring that was for you. How excited are you to feel the crowd, the atmosphere and the environment and go out there with your first experience with your team tomorrow night?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Of course, fan support, a lot of support from fans is going to make it a little bit easier for me to push myself and then perform with more than what I've got.

Q. You mentioned your previous experience pitching in big games -- the Japan Series and the World Baseball Classic -- how do they stack up to the MLB postseason, in your mind?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: The experience back in Japan, Japan Series and the World Baseball Classic, other big games will definitely help. And I'd like to utilize it. However, I'd just like to take that display of game to just one normal game.

Q. In your last couple of starts in September, how did you feel on the mound compared to in June before the injury?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Those four games I was feeling I was getting more, back my normal feeling or more than that as I pitched in more games. I feel things started coming together, all together.

Q. How many innings will you pitch in a postseason game? What conversations have you and the team had about that?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm not sure exactly how many innings I go, to how deep in the game I'm going to pitch. So I just do one inning at a time and then...

Q. Being Shohei Ohtani's teammate in the World Baseball Classic last year, what did you notice about how he handled himself in that environment? And do you think he's someone who is good at handling that pressure?

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I'm not sure how exactly how he handles the atmosphere or pressure at that kind of game, but I've learned how he was leading the team and performing as kind of like a leader of the team.