Dodgers SS Mookie Betts backed starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto after the Japanese ace had a tough outing against the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLCS at American Family Field on Monday night. Yamamoto was removed after 2.2 innings, during which he issued two walks, struck out one batter, and allowed three earned runs on four hits.
The Brewers won the game 7-4, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the reigning champions. The series will now head to Dodger Stadium in LA for Games 3, 4, and 5, if needed.
After the disappointing loss, Betts addressed media questions in the postgame interview, offering multiple reflections on the game. He also responded to a question about Yamamoto by explaining, as an infielder and teammate, how he felt about the 2025 Fall Classic MVP’s struggles on the mound.
“It was tough. But he’s a human being, too. So I think everybody’s so used to him being a robot that if he didn’t go eight innings, no hits and whatever, then it wasn’t Yamamoto. So it just shows he’s a human being, and it’s playoff baseball. It’s part of it,” Betts said.
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What Did Mookie Betts Say About the Team’s Mindset After Going 2-0 Down in the NLCS?
Betts categorically stated that the Dodgers had to take an optimistic approach, one game and one pitch at a time. He also added that it was not the time to add extra pressure to the roster and that it was imperative they find a way to keep the line moving and generate important hits in the upcoming games.
“I mean, just one game at a time, one pitch at a time. I mean, the mindset can’t really change, can’t add more pressure. There’s already enough as it is, so we have to just keep it the same. I mean, one pitch at a time and figure out a way to get that hit… I mean, there is no key to turning the page. We just have to figure out a way to get hits. I mean, that’s really it. There’s no magic to it. You just got to get hits,” Betts said.
The Dodgers will likely start Blake Snell on the mound in Game 3 of the NLCS at home on Wednesday night, while the Brewers will also have a left-handed ace in Robert Gasser, aiming to take a dominant 3-0 lead in the Championship Series, as per MLB.com.
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