Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, having transitioned from Japan to Major League Baseball, aspire to bring a World Series championship to Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES  — Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have maintained a friendship since their time in Japan's premier baseball league. They are now set to make their Major League Baseball playoff debuts together with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The duo previously collaborated to secure a gold medal for Japan in the World Baseball Classic last year. Their next aspiration is to clinch a World Series championship together. “The experiences from Japan, including the Japan Series and the World Baseball Classic, as well as other significant games, will certainly be beneficial,” Yamamoto stated on Friday through an interpreter. “I intend to make the most of it.” Yamamoto is scheduled to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday against Dylan Cease and the rival San Diego Padres. The Dodgers triumphed over the Padres to capture the NL West title for the 11th time in 12 years during the final stretch of the regular season, despite San Diego winning eight of the twelve matchups against the Dodgers. “I’m certain there’s greater anticipation and excitement when facing a division rival,” Ohtani remarked through an interpreter. 

The influence of Japan is significant in this best-of-five series, particularly with San Diego’s Yu Darvish set to face his former team in Game 2 on Sunday. Darvish was a childhood idol for Ohtani. “My personal wish was for Darvish to compete against Yoshinobu,” Ohtani expressed. “While that won’t occur this time, I feel very honored and excited to have the opportunity to face him.”

Yamamoto was initially scheduled to pitch Game 2, but the Dodgers have since rearranged the order, with Jack Flaherty now set to start on Sunday. Ohtani signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December after leaving the Los Angeles Angels, where he endured six challenging seasons. His presence was instrumental in attracting Yamamoto to the Dodgers, who subsequently signed a 12-year, $325 million deal a few weeks later. The Padres are particularly motivated to succeed in this postseason as a tribute to their late owner Peter Seidler, whose initials are featured on their jerseys. Now, they aim to win for their teammate.