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Dice K's tenure with the Boston Red Sox, marked by a hefty $50 million deal, showcased the potential of having multiple high-quality pitches and good command. Yamamoto's ability to throw a variety of pitches — fastballs, changeups, sliders, and more — coupled with pitchability, elevates him from just a pitcher with a broad repertoire to a genuinely elite arm.
Consistency and the Legacy of Postseason Dominance
Postseason baseball demands exceptional stamina, focus, and adaptability. Yamamoto's back-to-back complete game performances echo the legendary feats of Curt Schilling and Tom Glavine, who last achieved such consistency in the early 2000s. The rarity of multiple complete games in a single postseason underscores Yamamoto's dominance.