Los Angeles enters 2026 with one of baseball’s most talented and deepest starting staffs. After a season in which both Yamamoto and Ohtani proved their mettle — Yamamoto emerging as a 2025 Cy Young finalist with a 2.49 ERA and over 200 strikeouts, and Ohtani returning from injury to pitch with impressive command and effectiveness — the club has reason to believe the trophy could return to Dodger blue.
Roberts didn’t mince words when asked about who might win. “I think Ohtani absolutely could win,” he said, “but I think Yamamoto is going to have something to say about it too.” That dual mention signals that the Dodgers are not putting all their chips on one horse — they are backing two strong contenders, both with different strengths and both capable of leading an elite rotation.
Yamamoto, having anchored the Dodgers’ 2025 postseason with poise and dominance, knows how to handle pressure. Meanwhile, Ohtani — having rebounded following surgery — brings an arm and bat combination that continues to terrify opponents. Add to that the rest of the rotation’s talent and the team’s willingness to carefully manage workloads, and the groundwork is laid for a Cy Young campaign worthy of serious consideration.
Still, Roberts and the front office are clear-eyed about the challenge ahead. The past season pushed their starters deep into games to compensate for bullpen weaknesses, and both Yamamoto and Ohtani are expected to have lighter workloads at the start of 2026 to protect their arms and prolong their season. That trade-off between rest and dominance will be crucial — balancing health and performance isn’t easy, even for arms this talented.
If the gamble pays off, the 2026 Cy Young could come down to a duel between these two Dodgers aces. For fans, it sets up a narrative rich with possibility: a team built around pitching, aiming not only for wins but for individual honors that reinforce the rotation’s elite status. For the pitchers themselves, it’s a chance to etch their names deeper into Dodgers lore.
And for baseball watchers everywhere — get ready. The 2026 season might not just decide a pennant race. It could decide one of the richest pitching battles in recent memory.
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