It had been 24 years since a starter put together consecutive complete games this time of year, a stretch that encompassed a seismic shift in the industry's handling of pitchers. One-hundred pitches have since become a red flag,

It's being touted as one of the best pitching performances in recent memory. And it has the Dodgers one step closer to a repeat title.

After another complete game victory in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night, is the Japanese right-hander approaching – or has he already reached – ace status?