Q. Whether it was Game 1 or Game 2 today, to have Blake Snell on the mound, how do you approach just kind of taking in information to prepare you for a Game 3 start?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I think there is some information stuff I can learn from these two games. Also because my own, in terms of my preparation, I'd like to utilize that information and then my own game plan.
Q. We've talked a lot about just Roki and the growth and development that he's had. How impressed have you been just what you've seen from Roki Sasaki coming out of the bullpen right now?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I think it's a little bit difficult because of the difference from what he usually does. But I think so far he's been doing great. And I can see his expression is pretty bright.
Q. What did you learn from last year's postseason experience? And how would you explain the difference between a regular season and a postseason game?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I think I learned a lot from last postseason game. And that experience has been helping me a lot, especially when I go out there and then how to handle the pressure and how to stay composed. Because I think the experience from last year helped me a lot this year. And I'd like to get myself ready for anything that comes my way.
Q. There have already been more split-fingered fastballs thrown this postseason than in any of the last 20 postseasons. What is it about the pitch, as someone who has thrown it his whole career, that you think makes it so increased in popularity and so effective?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: I think the splitty is more useful and versatile to a lot of different types of hitters. I think, compared to cutters, and those are more like Major League hitters, some of them get more used to it, how to handle it. So from that perspective, I think a splitter is very useful overall across the league.
Q. Was there a moment, whether it be last season or coming to this season, where your confidence level changed and your ability to attack Major League hitters and you really felt comfortable with how you go about attacking guys?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: The reason my level of confidence is much higher this year is I think I know how to attack them more with a clear mindset.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports