Will Klein Opens Game 2 as Dodgers Face Yankees in Critical Doubleheader Matchup

Relief pitcher Will Klein is taking the ball to open the second game of Sunday's doubleheader between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, with the Dodgers positioned to extend their dominance in the series after a commanding performance in the first contest. The Dodgers enter the matchup with significant momentum, having thoroughly outclassed their opponents over the first 18 innings, during which the Yankees managed only three runs across both games. Klein's assignment as the opener represents a tactical decision by Los Angeles, who had their bullpen fully rested following a complete-game shutout from Yoshinobu Yamamoto earlier in the day.

Klein's Role and Capabilities

Klein has functioned as an opener on two prior occasions during the regular season, establishing himself as a viable option for short-burst, high-intensity appearances. The right-hander is defined by his power arsenal, regularly deploying a four-seam fastball that averages 98 miles per hour—a pitch he throws more than half the time. His velocity places him among the league's hardest throwers, yet he has managed to avoid excessive damage despite his aggressive approach.

Through 32 total appearances spanning 37.1 innings, Klein has compiled a 2.41 ERA and 2.94 FIP with 43 strikeouts. These metrics reflect elite-level performance, with his ERA+ of 174 indicating he has been significantly more effective than average league pitching. Klein sits in the 94th percentile or better in both barrel rate and ground-ball rate, a rare combination that showcases both high velocity and exceptional damage limitation.

Yankees Counter with Bullpen Game

The Yankees, forced to rearrange their rotation due to the doubleheader format, will deploy a bullpen strategy beginning with lefty Ryan Yarbrough in an opener role. Yarbrough is expected to record approximately five outs against the Dodgers' first five batters, three of whom bat from the left side. The bulk of the workload will fall to Elmer Rodríguez, a rookie called up as the doubleheader's designated 27th man, making his first relief appearance after four starts at the major-league level.

Rodríguez enters the game with concerning peripherals, posting a 4.76 ERA across 17 innings with a 13.3-percent walk rate that has produced 11 free passes against just 10 strikeouts. His most recent outing on June 21st resulted in three runs surrendered across four innings in a loss to Cincinnati. The matchup represents both an opportunity and a test for the young reliever against one of baseball's most potent offenses.