Dodgers Weigh Cy Young vs. Three-Peat as Ohtani Extends On-Base Streak

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Cy Young potential may conflict with the Dodgers' World Series aspirations.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:04pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the complex dynamics of pitcher management in modern baseball.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes battle between elite pitchers and the quest for individual accolades versus team success.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a dilemma as they balance Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Cy Young-caliber performance with their goal of a third straight World Series title. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has extended his on-base streak to 43 games, tying a Japanese-born MLB record.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' decision on how to manage Yamamoto's workload could have major implications for their postseason chances, as past Cy Young winners have struggled to maintain their dominance in the playoffs. Ohtani's on-base streak is a testament to his elite offensive abilities and underscores his status as one of the game's most dynamic two-way players.

The details

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been cautious with Yamamoto's innings, rarely letting him go past six innings even when he's pitching well. This approach is aimed at preserving his arm for the playoffs, where the Dodgers prioritize having fresh, healthy pitchers over individual accolades like the Cy Young. However, former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser believes teams are now too conservative with their aces, arguing that elite pitchers like Yamamoto, Ohtani, and others can still handle heavy workloads in both the regular season and postseason.

  • Yamamoto went 7 innings in his Monday start, but was removed after 97 pitches.
  • Ohtani extended his on-base streak to 43 games on Wednesday, tying Ichiro Suzuki's record for the longest streak by a Japanese-born player.

The players

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A dominant starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is having a Cy Young-caliber season, but the team may limit his workload to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Shohei Ohtani

The two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Angels, who has extended his on-base streak to 43 games, tying a record for Japanese-born MLB players.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has been cautious with Yamamoto's innings to preserve him for the postseason.

Orel Hershiser

A former Dodgers pitcher who believes teams are being too conservative with their aces, arguing that elite pitchers can handle heavy workloads in both the regular season and playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“As far as the workload in the playoffs compared to what they're doing in the regular season, I think they all could still do what we did. I just think they're not being trained or asked to do it. I just think it's a different time and a different culture.”

— Orel Hershiser, Former Dodgers Pitcher

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Yamamoto's workload as they balance his Cy Young potential with their quest for a third straight World Series title. Ohtani will look to extend his on-base streak even further as he continues to cement his status as one of the game's elite two-way players.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' dilemma over Yamamoto's workload highlights the evolving approach to pitcher management in MLB, as teams prioritize postseason performance over individual regular-season accolades. Ohtani's historic on-base streak underscores his unique talents and the excitement he brings to the game.