Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts issued a 90-pitch limit to Roki Sasaki ahead of his first start of the season Monday, per The Athletic‘s Fabian Ardaya
While he’s yet start in the regular season, Sasaki had a rough spring in the month or so leading up to his first regular season start of the year. He allowed 15 runs and 15 walks in 8.2 innings during spring training, striking out 12 batters in the process.
Despite his struggles in the spring, the Dodgers are adamant he has what it takes to survive as a starter in their rotation, but that he needs to clean things up.
“I don’t think that you can completely bank on or evaluate spring training or an exhibition game. But yeah, it hasn’t been great,” Roberts said after Sasaki’s last start of the spring. “It really hasn’t. And we know that. The standard needs to be better. He knows that. We know that. And now, it’s kinda go time, and see how he can perform when the lights come on.”
“…I believe in him, I really do. I told him that in the dugout.”
Should Sasaki continue to struggle in his first outing of the year, the Dodgers have the option of bringing in Justin Wrobleski to piggyback, as Roberts said was the plan prior to the season.
The Dodgers will begin a series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, during which all three of their Japanese-born starting pitchers will make an appearance—the first time any team has started three Japanese players in three consecutive games.
What is the Dodgers’ Lineup for Their Series Opener Against the Guardians?
The Dodgers, after sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks, have drastically changed their lineup for the first game of the series.
Shohei Ohtani leads off for the Dodgers, followed by Kyle Tucker and Mookie Betts—as has been the case all season. Teoscar Hernandez will bat fourth for the first time this season, and Freddie Freeman will bat fifth for the second consecutive game. Andy Pages occupies the No. 6 spot, and Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas and Dalton Rushing close out the lineup.
The Dodgers still have plenty of stars in the lineup while resting Will Smith, and will look to keep their undefeated start to the season intact.
How do you think Roki Sasaki will perform today?
One Response
He unfortunately won’t be able to find the plate.
Sincerely hope I’m wrong.