An unexpected Dodgers storyline is brewing: Roberts says Ohtani and Yamamoto could turn the 2026 NL Cy Young into a battle under one roof.NL

The prediction by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts that Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be competing for the 2026 NL Cy Young Award is a confirmed, bold declaration that underscores the absurd depth of Los Angeles’ rotation.

Roberts has publicly stated that he sees both Japanese aces as having a legitimate shot at the prestigious pitching award.

The Case for the Co-Contenders

Roberts’ confidence is based on the phenomenal 2025 seasons both pitchers just completed:

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Finished third in the 2025 NL Cy Young voting after a dominant year, posting a 2.49 ERA in 30 starts and leading the league in hits allowed per nine innings. He was also a crucial, clutch performer in the Dodgers’ World Series run.
• Shohei Ohtani: In his return to pitching in 2025 after Tommy John surgery, Ohtani showed elite stuff, finishing the regular season with a 2.87 ERA across 47 innings in 14 starts and a phenomenal 11.9 K/9 rate. Roberts explicitly stated that Ohtani “pitched better than I expected” given the injury recovery.

The Catch: Workload Management

Despite the high praise, Roberts also voiced concern regarding both players’ announced participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, which creates an immediate challenge for workload management:

• WBC Strain: The high-leverage innings pitched in the WBC, immediately following an extended, World Series-winning season, increase the physical strain. Roberts noted that “the rest would be beneficial for next year for our season,” preferring they take it easy.
• The Dodgers’ Strategy: The Dodgers front office and manager Roberts are expected to gradually introduce Ohtani, Yamamoto, and fellow Japanese star Roki Sasaki (who is also joining Team Japan) into the 2026 season. They will likely utilize a six-man rotation and provide extra rest between starts to protect their arms, especially Ohtani’s, who also has hitting duties.

This workload management, while necessary for the team’s long-term success, may ultimately be the biggest hurdle for either Yamamoto or Ohtani to win the Cy Young, as the award often favors the pitcher who throws the most innings.