Dodgers Look to Yamamoto After Game 1 Loss to Brewers
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a setback in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), as the Milwaukee Brewers kept them from scoring runs and took an early lead in the series.
Despite the loss, the Dodgers are feeling confident about Game 2, mainly because of their pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto is a Japanese player who has become known as a reliable postseason ace, meaning he performs especially well in important playoff games.
A starting pitcher like Yamamoto plays a key role in baseball games, as he is the first player to throw the ball and can set the tone for the entire match. The Dodgers hope his experience will help the team even the series.
The NLCS is one of two championship series held before the World Series, which is the final and most important competition in Major League Baseball. The winner of the NLCS will represent the National League in the World Series.
Meanwhile, in the American League, the Cleveland team, referred to as CLE, has advanced to the ALCS after a strong performance, earning the nickname "Brewtal" for Milwaukee's intense play in Game 1.
With Yamamoto set to pitch, Dodgers fans and players alike are hopeful that Game 2 will bring a much-needed win and shift the momentum of the series in their favor.
Vocabulary8 words
- NLCS
- a major baseball series; it decides who goes to the final
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- a baseball pitcher; he is known for playing well
- postseason ace
- a very skilled player; he performs best in big games
- starting pitcher
- the first player to throw the ball in a game
- championship series
- a group of important games; the winner goes to the final
- World Series
- the final and biggest baseball competition
- ALCS
- a major baseball series; similar to the NLCS
- momentum
- the energy or force that helps a team keep winning
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Quiz
Answer key
1. They were stopped from scoring by the Brewers 2. Because Yamamoto, a strong postseason pitcher, will start 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a _____ in Game 1 of the NLCS.
The Milwaukee Brewers kept them from _____ runs.
The Dodgers are feeling confident about Game 2 because of their pitcher, _____.
Yamamoto is a Japanese player known as a reliable postseason _____.
A starting _____ plays a key role in baseball games.
The NLCS is one of two _____ series held before the World Series.
The winner of the NLCS will represent the National League in the _____.
The Cleveland team has advanced to the _____.
Fans hope Game 2 will shift the _____ of the series.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a strong starting pitcher can change the outcome of a baseball series?
- Have you ever watched a playoff game where one player made a big difference? Describe it.
- Why might teams feel more confident after a loss if they have a key player coming up next?
- What similarities and differences do you notice between the NLCS and ALCS based on this story?
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