The Los Angeles Dodgers are confident right-hander Roki Sasaki can maintain his high-level of performance over the last few weeks, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Sasaki landed on the injured list in May, and remained there through September. His rehab assignment lasted longer than a month, and his performances weren’t really improving in the minors. After making some adjustments with the help of the Dodgers, Sasaki entered a new role in the bullpen, and immediately hit his stride.
He threw two hitless innings in his final two rehab appearances, and came back to MLB as a reliever for the end of the regular season. He made two appearances in the Dodgers’ final two series, striking out two batters in each while keeping his opponents scoreless.
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He’s allowed just one hit through his three postseason appearances as well, and recorded his first MLB save against the Phillies on Saturday.
“The resurrection of Sasaki is their latest triumph, and they’re confident that with the extra strength he developed during his time off, the cue he found to hone his delivery and the dominance he has experienced in the bullpen, it’s here to stay,” wrote Passan.
The Dodgers desperately needed a reliable reliever at the end of the season, and with Sasaki looking unstoppable on the mound, it’s safe to say they’ve found their man.
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His season wasn’t always going this well, though, as he struggled through the first part of his rookie season before suffering his injury. Sasaki had a 4.72 ERA through his first eight MLB starts, and had just 24 strikeouts through 34.1 innings.
The Dodgers will absolutely be looking towards Sasaki in high-leverage situations for the remainder of the postseason, the next of which could come against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the NLDS on Thursday. The Dodgers dropped Game 3 at home, and will once again look to clinch against Philly in Game 4.
Tyler Glasnow will make his second appearance against the Phillies after a scoreless relief appearance in Game 1, and will hope to keep the Dodgers in the game after a tough loss on Wednesday. Game 4 begins Thursday at 3:08 p.m. PT.
Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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