Yoshinobu Yamamoto joins elite company with first MLB postseason complete game since 2017

Jake Mozarsky

Yoshinobu Yamamoto joins elite company with first MLB postseason complete game since 2017 image

Jiji Press

As the Dodgers continue to roll through the postseason, star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto achieved something that hasn't been done in over half a decade.

In a 5-1 win over the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLCS, Yamamoto pitched all nine innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven. Yamamoto finished the first complete game in the MLB postseason since 2017.

He had an exceptional season, finishing top-five in MLB with a 2.49 ERA and top-10 with a 0.99 WHIP. He added another chapter to his time in the majors with his best performance so far as the Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the NLCS.

Here's more on Yamamoto's performance and the exclusive company he joined.

MORE: Dodgers' Max Muncy is the greatest playoff home run hitter in franchise history

Who was the last pitcher to throw a postseason complete game?

The last pitcher before Yamamoto to throw a postseason complete game (9 innings) was Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the 2017  ALCS.

The performance occurred on October 14, 2017, against the New York Yankees. Verlander pitched 9.0 innings, allowing only 5 hits and 1 earned run, while striking out 13 batters, leading the Astros to a 2-1 victory.

MORE: Dodgers chase MLB history after another clutch road win

Postseason complete game history

Here are the 25 most recent postseason complete games.

NameDateTeamOpponentRoundScore (W/L)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto10/14/2025DodgersBrewersNLDSW 2-0
Justin Verlander10/14/2017AstrosYankeesALCSW 8-1
Marco Estrada10/14/2016Blue JaysGuardiansALCSL 0-3
Johnny Cueto10/07/2016GiantsCubsNLDSL 1-0
Madison Bumgarner10/05/2016GiantsMetsNL Wild CardW 3-0
Johnny Cueto10/28/2015RoyalsMetsWorld SeriesW 7-2
Jake Arrieta10/07/2015CubsPiratesNL Wild CardW 4-0
Madison Bumgarner10/26/2014GiantsRoyalsWorld SeriesW 3-2
Madison Bumgarner10/01/2014GiantsPiratesNL Wild CardW 3-0
Adam Wainwright10/09/2013CardinalsPiratesNLDSW 6-1
CC Sabathia10/12/2012YankeesOriolesALDSW 3-2
Justin Verlander10/11/2012TigersAthleticsALDSW 3-1
Chris Carpenter10/07/2011CardinalsPhilliesNLDSW 3-1
Cliff Lee10/12/2010RangersRaysALDSW 5-1
Cole Hamels10/10/2010PhilliesRedsNLDSW 2-0
Tim Lincecum10/07/2010GiantsBravesNLDSW 1-0
Roy Halladay10/06/2010PhilliesRedsNLDSW 4-0
Cliff Lee10/28/2009PhilliesYankeesWorld SeriesW 6-1
Cliff Lee10/07/2009PhilliesRockiesNLDSW 5-1
Josh Beckett10/03/2007Red SoxAngelsALDSW 4-0
Jose Contreras10/16/2005White SoxAngelsALCSW 6-3
Freddy Garcia10/15/2005White SoxAngelsALCSW 5-2
Jon Garland10/14/2005White SoxAngelsALCSW 5-2
Mark Buehrle10/12/2005White SoxAngelsALCSW 2-1
Jose Lima10/09/2004DodgersCardinalsNLDSW 4-1

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats vs Brewers

Against Milwaukee on Tuesday night, Yamamoto threw a complete nine innings, allowing only three hits hits and striking out seven. Jackson Chourio started Yamamoto's night with a home run to open up the game, and the pitcher was near-perfect from then on.

This comes after a 2-1 victory in Game 1, where Dodgers starter Blake Snell threw 8.0 innings and allowed only one hit while striking out 10. Snell and Yamamoto each were brilliant as the Dodgers took a 2-0 series lead heading back to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is two wins from a second consecutive World Series appearance.

MORE: Why the Dodgers are waiting to start Shohei Ohtani as pitcher until Game 4

Jake Mozarsky

Jake Mozarsky joined The Sporting News as an Editorial Intern in August 2025 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. He has previously written for Marquee Sports Network, Chicago This Week, Inside NU and The Daily Northwestern.