Yoshinobu Yamamoto struggles with command as Giants take series opener

LOS ANGELES -- One of baseball's biggest rivalries squared off at Chavez Ravine for the first time in 2025 as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants sent their aces to the mound to begin this three-game series. There were also stakes for both teams, as they were competing for first place in the NL West, with Los Angeles holding a one-game lead over San Francisco prior to today's matchup. It was a disappointing day on the mound for the Dodgers' ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a career-high five walks in 4.2 innings. Meanwhile, Giants pitcher Logan Webb delivered seven solid innings, allowing the Giants to take control for most of the game and secure the series-opening win by a final score of 6-2. 

Yamamoto didn't seem too bothered after the game, but given that his recent performances haven't matched the impressive level we saw earlier in the season, he definitely feels that he is still developing and learning during his second year with the Dodgers.

“Even when I have a bad outing, I still have some positive things to take away,” Yamamoto said. “A game like this, I just need to focus and learn things and turn something into a positive and get myself ready for the next outing.”

It's worth noting that since Yamamoto shifted from a five-day rest period, his ERA has risen to 4.46 in that time, compared to the 0.90 ERA he achieved during his six-day rest period. This increase in Yamamoto's ERA over the months has also been noticeable, as he posted a 1.06 ERA in the first two months of the season, which kept increasing when he recorded a 3.00 ERA in May, and currently has an ERA of 5.65 in June. 

“I don’t feel like there are any issues with the shorter rest days,” Yamamoto said.

After analyzing Yamamoto's statistics from five to six days of rest, Roberts has decided to extend his schedule to six days moving forward.

"He's our best pitcher right now. The adjustment period has already passed, and he's got to take the baseball. He'll be on an extra next time."

Roberts knows that it’s only June, but the division is currently tied with the Giants after Friday’s loss. With the rotation struggling, it might be too much pressure for Yamamoto to carry a depleted pitching staff. Nevertheless, Roberts still believes that Yamamoto is pitching at an elite level.

“Tonight, I think he was being a little too fine,” Roberts said. “I do. I think he’s got really good command. But I think tonight he was being a little too edgy.”

The Giants scored first in this one, thanks to a Willy Adames solo home run in the first to give San Francisco an early 1-0 lead. Andy Pages would tie the game the following inning via a sacrifice fly, but the Giants would take advantage of Yamamoto's lack of command in the third. After giving up three walks in the inning to load the bases, third baseman Casey Schmitt cracked a go-ahead grand slam on a 1-1 splitter to give San Francisco a comfortable 5-1 lead. 

Some positives coming from the Los Angeles front as Teoscar Hernández seems to be firing it back up at the plate as he hit another home run in as many days, his 12th of the season, to make it a 5-2 ballgame. The Giants would tack on one more run in the eighth, a solo shot by Andrew Knizer, and that would conclude the scoring and cap off the series opener. 

Left-hander Justin Wrobleski provided 4 1/3 innings of relief after Yamamoto's exit, which was a significant contribution for Roberts, allowing him to use only two pitchers for the entire game. Wrobleski has posted an impressive 3.14 ERA over his last three appearances, covering 14.1 innings. He played a crucial role in the bullpen on Friday and credited several teammates, including Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell, and Yamamoto, for helping him maintain a positive mindset.

"Trusting that my stuff is good enough to get anyone in the world out." Wrobleski said.

Kershaw gave Wrobleski one major key to success on the mound.

"Don't walk guys," Wrobleski said.

Wrobleski did not walk any batters and struck out five while throwing 66 pitches on Friday.

The Dodgers' pitching staff is in urgent need of assistance, and Roberts has decided to move right-hander Ben Casparius from the bullpen to the starting rotation. This shift comes at a crucial time, as the team is currently struggling halfway through the season.

With this loss, the Dodgers and Giants are now tied for first place in the NL West with a 41-29 record. Los Angeles will look to force a rubber match with Clayton Kershaw taking the mound for the Dodgers tomorrow, and the Giants will look to secure the series win by sending right-hander Landen Roupp.