Yamamoto Named World Series MVP as Dodgers Clinch Title in Toronto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series Most Valuable Player after an extraordinary three-day stretch that helped the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the title in Toronto on Saturday, capped by a high-leverage relief appearance that sealed a series win over the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old right-hander delivered a four-hitter in Game 2, threw six strong innings in a 3-1 Game 6 victory on Friday and returned on short rest to record the final outs in the 11th inning of Game 7, preserving the Dodgers’ championship.

Yamamoto entered Game 7 in a tense ninth-inning jam with the score tied and the bases loaded, having been deemed unlikely to pitch by manager Dave Roberts after his 96-pitch outing in Game 6. He warmed in the bullpen and was summoned when the Dodgers needed a trusted arm. Over 2 2/3 scoreless innings in the clincher, he finished the season with a series-ending double play that halted Toronto’s final rally and handed Los Angeles the title.

Across the World Series, Yamamoto threw 17 2/3 innings, struck out 15 batters and allowed two runs and 10 hits. His postseason workload included 526 total pitches, a string of complete-game performances earlier in the postseason and a...