Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted just 2.2 innings in Game 2 of the NLCS, allowing three earned runs and walking two. The Milwaukee Brewers capitalized on his early exit with a five-run third inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4, evening the series. In the ALCS, the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 in Game 1, with JosĂ© RamĂrez delivering a three-hit performance.
Milwaukee’s Bullpen and Contreras Shine
Behind a monster performance from catcher William Contreras and a strong relief effort, the Brewers took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Contreras went 3-for-4 with an RBI single, a solo home run, and two additional RBIs. He also drew a walk in the eighth inning. The offense wore down Yamamoto early; David Hamilton led off the third inning with a single, Brice Turang walked, and Jake Bauers drew a walk after a 12-pitch at-bat to load the bases. Christian Yelich then drove in two runs with a single to center field, forcing the Dodgers to remove Yamamoto from the game.
Yamamoto finished the night allowing four hits and three runs in 2.2 innings of work. He has a 2.47 ERA over 12 postseason appearances, but Monday’s performance marked a rare bump in the road. The Brewers’ bullpen recorded the final 6.1 innings, keeping the Dodgers off the board after the third inning. The third inning for the Brewers was a masterclass in making an opposing starting pitcher use bullets, with Contreras flying out to center field with runners on first and second, but only after making Yamamoto throw seven more pitches.
Yamamoto’s Mortality and Ohtani’s Struggles
For the first time in his young postseason career, Yamamoto appeared mortal. The Brewers made him work in the third inning, forcing him to throw 40 pitches in that frame alone. The Dodgers fell behind 5-0 and never recovered. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Game 2. FOX’s John Smoltz noted that Ohtani seems late on pitches up in the zone, likely due to a shoulder injury. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he plans to discuss putting Ohtani on the bench for Game 3.
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While the Dodgers are still a championship-caliber team, the series has shifted toward Milwaukee. The Brewers are now two wins away from their first World Series appearance since 1982. William Contreras is emerging as a central figure in that push, having entered the series hitting .316. With the series shifting to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4, the Brewers will look to capitalize on their momentum. Recent history suggests the Brewers could trade Contreras in the offseason, since 2027 will be his contract year.
Cleveland’s Unexpected Offensive Contributors
Cedric Mullins hit a massive eighth-inning home run off Rays reliever Erik Sabrowski. The blast cut the deficit to one run. Nathaniel Lowe delivered a two-run single in that same inning. The Guardians acquired Bailey from the San Francisco Giants in May. He was hitting just .146 with a .396 OPS at the time of the trade. By Game 1, he had found his rhythm. Chase DeLauter also contributed significantly to the Cleveland attack. He recorded three hits and scored three runs. A sixth-inning home run was his biggest blow of the game. DeLauter hit 16 home runs during the regular season. He finished the year with a .287 batting average.
The Cleveland lineup remains dangerous despite a difficult regular season. JosĂ© RamĂrez carried the team in the ALDS. He drove in seven runs over the final three games of that series. That performance helped the Guardians overcome a 2-0 deficit against the White Sox. RamĂrez continued that success in Game 1 of the ALCS. He went 3-for-5 and drove in a run. The Guardians are now three wins away from the World Series. The Tampa Bay Rays led the AL with 98 regular-season wins. The Guardians still look like underdogs in this series. However, RamĂrez has exorcised his postseason demons this October.
Unlikely Heroes Decide October Outcomes
Game 1 of the ALCS highlighted the role of unlikely heroes in October. Teams with star power often advance. But these unexpected contributors can determine the champion. The Guardians have found contributions from Bailey, Lowe, and DeLauter. They have also received strong pitching. The Rays have relied on Sabrowski in relief. The ALCS is a best-of-seven series. The series will continue in Cleveland. The Rays will look to even the series at home. The Guardians will look to take command.