Q. What have you learned from being a teammate of Clayton Kershaw's that maybe helps you on the mound, and even during a playoff run? What have you learned this year?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: First, one thing I learned from him, of course, is technical things when you face a hitter because -- how to think and how to attack them. And another thing is how to bring the energy into the one game.
Q. When you look at just how you felt going into the postseason last year, your first year in the big leagues compared to this year, and also coming off of just play of the month, how different is this feeling in your preparation for this postseason?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Having the last year's postseason under my belt, I think because I'm more calm this year, and I'm being able to have good preparation going into the postseason this year. And I feel more confident.
Q. How much of your preparation and fitness was designed to help you to be at your best late in the season?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Five-day rest since the last outing, it's the same as usual. And nothing is different in terms of preparation. I just feel like it's a normal game.
Q. Ever since you and Shohei arrived over the last two years there has been -- the support of the Japanese fans for the Dodgers has grown tremendously. Even so much that they are traveling multiple times a year from Japan to Los Angeles. How do you feel about that? How good does that make you feel?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Cheering, support, a lot of support from Japanese fans during the game, during a practice, that gives us a lot of energy and a positive vibe. And, so, I'd like to bring great result for them, too.
Q. With the Dodgers having the second highest payroll in baseball, how much extra pressure is that on you guys to get the job done and win another World Series with the commitment from ownership in terms of salaries?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Personally, I'm not sure about that, the pressure because of the payroll on the team. But since Spring Training, our goal was the same, which is to win another World Series. I'm not sure what the pressure on the payroll.
Q. What is your impression of the Cincinnati Reds?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Even though I got the result from the last outing against them, but their lineup is good. They've got (inaudible) and they've got the great contact hitters. I'd like to get the best preparation and then go into the game.
Q. You have experience in both Japan and in an international tournament, which is a short period tournament. What was the most important thing for you to compete in that environment?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Maintain calmness, composure and then to bring out my best ability into the game.
Q. On the roster, the bullpen roster now, because you have Sheehan and other starting pitcher, and how do you feel about having those pitchers in the bullpen?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Having those pitchers is great, because probably how to use the bullpen might be different from the regular season. But my job will still be the same because I just focus on getting one out at a time.
Q. When I talked to you at the All-Star Game, you mentioned how you were nervous the last postseason, I think DS Game 5. Is that experience going to help you?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: Throughout this season, I was able to maintain my good condition and then also performance. And then I think I was able to finish the regular season on a high note.
And I think in terms of experience from last year, I think that's helping me to maintain composure, calmness. And I think I'm more comfortable getting into this postseason.
Q. In September, the best pitcher, and this year, and this is around the time that you might be feeling the most tiredness. How do you feel in the current condition?
YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO: The team has been helping me to manage the pitch count throughout the season. So I think that helped me to maintain a good condition and performance towards the end of the season. And I think a lot of the trainers and the coaches, they helped me a lot.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports