The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting set for another postseason run and will look to become baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter century.
After the bullpen has had a string of subpar performances this season — with an abysmal showing this month in particular — there are many independent variables ahead of Tuesday’s start to the National League Wild Card series. Right-hander Roki Sasaki, who hasn’t pitched since May, recently emerged as a potential option to bolster the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts a piece in two appearances last week.
Manager Dave Roberts, however, remained noncommittal regarding Sasaki, simply saying “we’ll see” if he makes the postseason roster.
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Sasaki came to MLB this season after posting a 2.10 ERA across four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. After the first eight starts of his MLB career featured a 4.72 ERA and a slower velocity on his fastball, some of which could be attributed to shoulder complications that held him out for a few months, Sasaki needed a change during his Triple-A rehab assignment.
The change presented itself in the form of getting his average fastball velocity up 4 mph in between his second to last start and his final start of the assignment. The next two minor league outings from Sasaki would be out of the bullpen, carrying his increased command and velocity in relief.
One of the Dodgers veteran leaders, Miguel Rojas, noted how nice it is to see the improved version of Sasaki, but more importantly, touched on his fearless nature ahead of October (should he get the chance).
“It’s really refreshing to see Roki going out there and having the attitude,” Rojas said. “I feel like more than than the 100 mph fastball and the split, and the movement on the ball and attacking the zone and throwing strikes, I think it’s the attitude. You can see him – not afraid of the moment and the situation. He wants to be there. It’s refreshing.”
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Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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