World Series Game 2 starting pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto faces Kevin Gausman

For Game 2 of the World Series, the pitching matchup will feature an exciting clash between a perennial All-Star and the Japanese ace for the defending champions.

The Toronto Blue Jays will turn to veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, who will be making his fifth start of the postseason after previously serving as the Game 1 starter in the Division and Championship Series. 

Opposing him for the Los Angeles Dodgers will be Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese sensation. Yamamoto had a dominant performance in his last outing, throwing the Dodgers' first postseason complete game since 2004, and his presence ensures the Dodgers roll out another top-tier ace for their second game in Toronto.

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Dodgers-Blue Jays Game 2 starting pitchers

The Game 2 pitching matchup between Gausman and Yamamoto sets up a fascinating duel built around the dominance of the splitter.

Gausman, the Blue Jays' veteran anchor, relies heavily on his changeup-like splitter — a pitch he throws more than 37% of the time, leading all qualified starters in MLB. He enters the contest with a stellar 2.00 ERA through 18 postseason innings, having limited opponents by forcing weak contact and relying on the pitch’s steep drop.

Yamamoto, the Dodgers' Japanese ace, is just as formidable, entering Game 2 with an even better 1.83 ERA across 19.2 playoff innings. He recently threw a complete game in Game 2 of the NLCS, showcasing his efficiency and ability to command his repertoire deep into games. His own splitter is a high-leverage weapon, setting up a rare, high-stakes battle of two pitchers who mastered the same unconventional out-pitch.

The Los Angeles starters, including Yamamoto, have consistently given their bullpen deep innings to protect a weak relief corps, while the Blue Jays have sometimes struggled for length from their starters. If Gausman can match Yamamoto's efficiency and pitch into the sixth or seventh inning, he maximizes the Blue Jays' chances; however, if the patient Dodgers lineup forces Gausman to throw too many non-splitter pitches, the advantage will quickly swing to the defending champions.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats

• Starts: 33
• Record: 14-9
• Innings Pitched: 193.1
• ERA: 2.42
• Strikeouts: 219
• Walks: 63
• Hits: 126
• Earned Runs: 52

Yamamoto has been exceptional across his three postseason starts, with a 1.83 ERA. This included him pitching his first career complete game in the NLCS, and two starts before that, allowed no runs in the wild card series against the Reds.

He did not face the Blue Jays in the regular season.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stats

Yamamoto and Guerrero Jr. have faced off a few times in the MLB.

• At-Bats: 20
• Hits: 6
• Home Runs: 1
• Batting Average: .300
• On-Base Percentage: .350
• Slugging Percentage: .500
• Strikeouts: 3
• Walks: 1

Kevin Gausman stats

Gausman is making his first World Series appearance.

• Starts: 35
• Record: 12-12
• Innings Pitched: 211.0
• ERA: 3.44
• Strikeouts: 201
• Walks: 68
• Hits: 196
• Earned Runs: 81

Gausman has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2025 season. His performance has remained consistent despite the added workload of the deep playoff run. In the postseason, he has a 2.00 ERA in 18.0 innings.

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Kevin Gausman vs Shohei Ohtani stats

Ohtani has lit it up this postseason. Now, he faces Gausman, who he has struggled against in his career.

• At-Bats: 12
• Hits: 2
• Home Runs: 1
• Batting Average: .167
• On-Base Percentage: .167
• Slugging Percentage: .417
• Strikeouts: 6
• Walks: 0

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