Dodgers Don’t Yet Know Who Will Start Game 2 in Japan vs Cubs, Says Dave Roberts
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made no decision on who will start Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs in the season opener at the Tokyo Dome, manager Dave Roberts announced.
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Roberts also said it was unlikely the pitchers that start those two games in Tokyo would start in the home opener. Yoshinobu Yamamoto remains the Game 1 starter for the Dodgers, while Shota Imanaga will get the nod for the Cubs.
There is a possibility rookie phenom Roki Sasaki will make his MLB debut in Japan, but Roberts said earlier this spring there is no guarantee that Sasaki would be named the Game 2 starter.
“Everything’s on the table, but I think it’s fair to say it would be to pitch in the second game of the season,” Roberts said in February. “But if it doesn’t line up, then it doesn’t line up. … We want to make sure he’s in a good position and feels good when he pitches. I don’t want to put him in a box right now.”
The Dodgers won’t rush Sasaki’s first start, but he could very well begin his MLB journey in Japan. The homecoming would certainly be a storybook start to the Japanese fireballer’s career in the majors.
“Obviously the opportunity to open a major-league season in Japan itself is rare,” he said, via USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “So being able to do that as a rookie is even more special. So right now I’m just focused on preparing for that.”
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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