Yoshinobu Yamamoto's season has already been elite. After three starts in August, Yamamoto has reached another level.
The Japanese ace has logged a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 innings while striking out 18 batters and walking just six. His marvelous month has brought his season ERA to 2.60 in 145 1/3 innings, ranking eighth among qualified pitchers.
Up next for Yamamoto is a matchup with the Pirates on Friday (10 p.m. ET/7 PT on MLB.TV). Here’s everything to know ahead of his 23rd start of the season.
Last time out
Yamamoto took down baseball’s best in his latest outing, allowing just one run in six innings to earn a victory over the Brewers. He overcame two walks and a 26-pitch first inning to finish with nine strikeouts on the day.
"I was trying to be a little bit too fine," Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. "So after that inning, I kind of organized my mind, reset and kept going."
Facing Pittsburgh
The Pirates offense is no easy squad to breeze through. Pittsburgh enters the series with the most hits (1,136) and third-most runs (646) in the Majors.
Since entering MLB in 2024, Yamamoto has faced off with the Pirates only one time. On April 25, 2025, at Chavez Ravine, he allowed one earned run and three overall in five innings. Yamamoto was outdueled by Cy Young winner Paul Skenes as the Dodgers fell, 3-0.
Oneil Cruz is 1-for-3 off Yamamoto in his career, while Brandon Lowe is 1-for-3 and Bryan Reynolds is 0-for-3.
Stat to know: 26.8%
Utilizing a nasty six-pitch mix, Yamamoto has reduced his fastball usage this season compared to last. After using the four-seamer 35.2 percent of the time in 2025, he’s used it just 26.8 percent in 2026.
Yamamoto is no longer using a sweeper and has increased the usage of a sinker and cutter. His split-finger is now used almost as much as the four-seam fastball and produces a .172 batting average against.