If there is one name that is popping up again and again in the Cy Young category, it’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Last season, he wasn’t looking himself. But you can now blame it on the adjustments because right now, he is on fire. So much so that rumors and talks about how he can win the Cy Young race have started. Mostly after Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

Yamamoto scored six scoreless innings and struck out nine. He even gave up two hits and a single walk against the Cubs. It might be one of his cleanest performances to date. And he made everything look super simple. Even when the Cubs got a runner to third in the fourth inning, Yamamoto didn’t flinch. He simply struck out our Michael Busch with a splitter and walked off the mound like it was just another day at the office.

That’s the kind of composure and confidence fans hoped for—and he simply won over them. Not just fans, but even his teammate Tommy Edman was in awe of him.

Edman couldn’t help but marvel at the brilliance unfolding before him. Watching Yamamoto dominate on the mound, Edman was in awe. “He’s been dominant pretty much the whole season,” Edman said. “I’m just kind of in awe of how well he executes. He’s just lights out, and he’s been our best pitcher this year.” And who can argue with him here? Yamamoto has a 2-1 record with a 1.23 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 28 innings.

However, Yamamoto wasn’t the only one to shine. Infielder Edman put out a spectacular performance as well. He smashed a three-run homer in the sixth inning, giving LA the offensive power they needed. But who couldn’t live up to the expectations? Shohei Ohtani, who went 0-for-4 and ended his 14-game on-base streak. But as they say, all’s well that ends well; the Dodgers took home a 3-0 victory, and Dave Roberts couldn’t be happier.

While talking about Yamamoto, Roberts said, “You have hitters guessing. It’s just a split that’s a strike, then it’s a ball that’s a swing and miss or a strikeout there. There’s a good fastball that’s commanded, and that’s a lot like Hideo. He doesn’t have the tornado delivery, but it’s a lot like that.” Well, the Dodgers are for sure on a roll and are now unbeaten in seven of their home games this season. And teams should watch out for Yamamoto—he is showing no signs of stopping!

Yoshinobu Yamamoto opens up about Cy Young award

With another dazzling performance, the Cy Young conversation surrounding Yamamoto has only intensified. This is indeed a new Yamamoto. Unlike many times before, he didn’t shy away from speaking his mind. “I’ve heard no Japanese pitcher has won it yet, so I’m awfully interested in it. I think that concentrating on each and every game and performing at my best is what will lead to a wonderful award like that,” he said. The star pitcher has become more confident and sure of himself. And his former Orix Buffaloes teammate and now a reporter for Fuji TV, Yu Suzuki, agrees.

Suzuki remarked, “He’s starting to look like the Yoshinobu who pitched in Japan.” One can say this might be something that even Suzuki might be going through. It’s not easy to rebuild yourself in a new place, it takes time. And the Dodgers aren’t just a new team, it’s a whole other country. It’s a whole new culture, space, and way of life. Last season, fingers were pointed at Yamamoto and his slow year. But despite the injury-plagued season, Suzuki had always vouched for Yamamoto, saying he would get the spark back. And looking at now, he certainly has!

Suzuki also claimed that Yamamoto’s strongest suit now is the different types of pitches he is throwing. “This year, he’s mixing in his cutter or two-seamer more. Take tonight. He got a strikeout with a 95-mph two-seamer,” he stated. But well, that’s what made Yamamoto win the Most Valuable Player in Japan three times. However, this is not even the 26-year-old’s best, which even Suzuki mentioned, the pitch count is still a little high.

Yamamoto went 103 in six innings, and back in Japan, he’d go about eight or nine on 110 pitches. But it only means he has another gear to kick. This is a really exciting time for Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Because this is just April, and almost the entire team appears to be on fire now.

Do you think that this time the championship is yet again in the Dodgers’ name? Let us know!