As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to face off against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night, the Boys in Blue will be putting their trust in a pitcher who’s been somewhat shaky so far this season.
Roki Sasaki has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career, including success in relief as part of the World Series-winning 2025 squad.
His spring training in 2026, however, was a bit of a roller coaster. He’s back to his starting role, and appearances have resulted in both dominance against minor leaguers and a start in which he gave up a grand slam in the first inning and was pulled before he recorded an out.
So on Monday, the big question on the mound is which Sasaki will show up.
How Will Roki Sasaki Perform as a Starter in 2026?
As reported by Jack Harris of The California Post, the Dodgers expect Sasaki to have a successful 2026 season, and they’re working to instill confidence in him.
“For better or worse, the right-hander remained in the team’s opening day rotation, despite his horrific spring numbers and a poor 4.72 ERA in eight starts as a rookie at the start of the last year (when, granted, he was pitching through a shoulder problem),” Harris wrote. “So, amid ongoing work on his inconsistent delivery, the club has also been trying to keep his confidence up; both in their conversations with him directly, and in their public comments about him more broadly.”
That includes personal attention from manager Dave Roberts, who told Harris he has been “just checking in on him, checking to see how he was doing.”
“He looks great. He’s in a good spot,” Roberts added.
What Does Roki Sasaki Look Like ‘in a Good Spot’?
If Roberts is correct, Sasaki can be dominant this season.
After returning from that shoulder injury, Sasaki “become the team’s surprise closer in the playoffs, posting an 0.84 ERA in nine appearances with three saves and two holds,” Harris wrote.
General manager Brandon Gomes told Harris that the ability is there. Now, Sasaki just has to execute.
“He’s done it on the biggest stage, in front of 50,000, so we know it’s in there,” Gomes said. “Now it’s just getting him in rhythm and consistently syncing up pitches.”
