Dave Roberts, who has seen a diverse array of international talent come through the ranks during his tenure as both a player and manager, knows that the transition to the Major Leagues can vary widely. Some international players quickly make their mark, while others require more time to find their footing. In some cases, high expectations do not always align with performance.

When it comes to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roberts has described the right-hander’s early Major League performances as "being in the middle." However, on Thursday, in the Dodgers' 2-1 win over the Nationals, Yamamoto provided a glimpse of his true potential. The Japanese ace delivered six scoreless innings and struck out seven, showcasing the type of performance that had everyone excited during the offseason.

Yamamoto’s journey so far has been a rollercoaster. His MLB debut in Seoul, South Korea, was less than ideal, as he managed only three outs while surrendering five runs. But he quickly began to show his promise. In his next two starts, he demonstrated the qualities that had piqued the Dodgers' interest. He delivered five scoreless innings against both the Cubs and the Cardinals, illustrating his resilience and ability to bounce back from a rough debut.

Yet, consistency remained elusive. Yamamoto’s following two outings were underwhelming, allowing three runs in five innings against the Padres and four (three earned) in six innings against the Mets. These performances came just as it seemed he was finding his rhythm.

The right-hander’s struggles have largely stemmed from his difficulty in effectively utilizing all three of his pitches—his four-seamer, curveball, and splitter—in a single outing. However, on Thursday, Yamamoto’s arsenal was in peak form, making it difficult for the Nationals to score.

This recent performance underscores that when Yamamoto executes his pitches with precision, he has the ability to dominate. The expectation is that these positive outings will boost his confidence and lead to a more consistent and impactful presence on the mound.