Last Friday's decisive fifth game of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres made history, drawing massive attention across the Pacific. According to Major League Baseball (MLB), the game tally was staggering—averaging around 12.9 million viewers from Japan, marking it as the most-watched postseason game ever recorded there.
This high viewership was no accident. The matchup featured not one, but two Japanese pitchers: Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and San Diego's Yu Darvish. Their presence added to the electric atmosphere, capturing the hearts of fans from both sides of the ocean. Yamamoto showcased his skills, allowing merely two hits over five innings, setting the tone for the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory.
Both Yamamoto and Darvish have substantial followings back home. The excitement was palpable as they faced off, especially since this game was the first postseason contest to see two Japanese pitchers start—an achievement fans were more than thrilled to witness. Darvish, who pitched 6 and 2/3 innings, held strong yet could not prevent the runs from crossing the plate, enhancing the drama of the game.
The timing of the game also played a role in its success. For Japanese fans, the contest began around 11 AM local time on Saturday morning. This schedule likely contributed to the sharp rise in viewership compared to past games. Interestingly, this match eclipsed the viewership for the Dodgers' previous postseason outings, one of which featured Shohei Ohtani, who helped bolster the Dodgers' lineup and energy. Ohtani’s first playoff game on October 5 already averaged 9.1 million viewers, showcasing his magnetic appeal.
The backdrop to this riveting nail-biter didn’t just lie with the players on the field, but also with the growing popularity of baseball itself within Japan. The Dodgers previously opened the regular season with two games held in Tokyo, creating waves of excitement and anticipation for this decisive playoff series. It seems fans couldn't get enough of the Dodgers and Padres face-off, as this postseason game outperformed the last three MLB games broadcasted from Japan.
Reflecting on the viewers' enthusiasm, it's clear the bond between American and Japanese baseball cultures has never been stronger. The game’s broadcast offered fans additional access to the excitement, which typically stays within American borders, illustrating how global the sport has become.
The dominance of MLB is evident, and Japan’s love for baseball plays well with this rise. Both the Dodgers and Padres successfully captured not only the attention of their fans but managed to break new ground with international interest. With the MLB championship series approaching, one can only anticipate why this matchup excited millions from thousands of miles away.
For the Dodgers, this victory means they have secured their place progressing to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2021—a stat surely celebrated by Dodger fans both domestically and abroad. The anticipation is brimming as fans eagerly await the next chapter of exquisite baseball action.
