The Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to send both Japanese star pitchers to the mound against Blue Jays next week in Toronto.<\/p>\n
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Published Apr 02, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Too soon?<\/p>\n Rarely will a midweek series in early April be as wildly anticipated as the Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 return to the Rogers Centre for three games against the Blue Jays next week.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And, as if the rematch of one of the most thrilling World Series in history isn\u2019t compelling enough, it looks like the Dodgers will send out both Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani for starts.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a stout pitching challenge in a three-game series that runs from Monday to Wednesday<\/a> at the downtown Toronto dome, adding to the anticipation of a series that is sure to have an emotional reaction for the Jays fan base.<\/p>\n World Series MVP Yamamoto is slated to pitch either Monday or Tuesday, while Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has indicated that Ohtani will have the ball for the finale, a Wednesday matinee.<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n The Blue Jays appear to be loading up their starting arsenal as well, a situation that was evident when manager John Schneider rolled out his rotation for the start of the season. If you wondering, for example, why Max Scherzer was the \u201cfifth\u201d starter in the Toronto order, all you really had to look to his second scheduled outing, which is expected to be Monday against the reigning champions.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The 41-year-old veteran is projected to be followed by Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease. Part of that is dependent on who replaces the injured Cody Ponce<\/a> for the start on Sunday in Chicago, though some version of a bullpen day is a possibility.<\/p>\n How good is Yamamoto?<\/p>\n The Jays are well aware of the prowess of Yamamoto, who pitched 17.2 innings over three games in the Fall Classic, including 2.2 innings of scoreless relief in the heartbreaking Game 7 clincher. Earlier in the series, Yamamoto delivered nine complete innings in a Game 2 win and six innings of one-run ball in another victory in Game 6.<\/p>\n Ohtani may be the most compelling, however, as he is likely to make his second start of the season following a brilliant six shutout innings against Cleveland this week, allowing just one hit.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n A four-time MVP (twice with the Angels in the AL, two more with the Dodgers in the NL) Ohtani clearly seems to have designs on winning a Cy Young to truly entrench his status as a two-way superstar.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s my intention every year, to be a better pitcher, better player,\u201d Ohtani told reporters in Los Angeles after his first start of 2026 season. \u201cI hope at the end of the year I can look back and say that was a really good pitching season.\u201d<\/p>\n Can Ohtani contend for the Cy Young Award?<\/p>\n Getting into the Cy Young conversation won\u2019t be easy, considering the Dodgers intend to space out his starts to every seventh day.<\/p>\n But, by all accounts, the Japanese star was dominant in his debut with a fastball touching 99 mph. He threw 87 pitches on Tuesday and reached base three times as the Dodgers leadoff hitter.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Ohtani\u2019s work on the mound was limited to 15 regular-season starts in 2025 as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. While he won\u2019t be overworked this season, he\u2019ll be a more significant part of the Dodgers rotation.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n![\"From](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0403-la-dodgers-ohtani-yamamoto.jpg\")
From left: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki celebrate after winning the World Series. AP PhotoArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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