"After the Los Angeles Dodgers nearly blew a 4-0 lead during Game 2 of the NLDS, 23-year-old phenom Roki Sasaki was called upon to get the final out and close out the game, earning the second save of his MLB career (both of which historically have occurred in the postseason). There was initial hesitation regarding Sasaki entering the game earlier in the ninth since he had closed out Game 1, but the starter-turned-reliever spoke after Game 2 regarding how he felt (albeit, with a day off in between the two days). More news: Dave Roberts Calls Roki Sasaki the 'Primary Option' to Close Games for the Dodgers "I actually do feel pretty good about being able to throw back-to-back games," Sasaki said. "On my off day, I threw with pretty good intensity and felt pretty good.""
"After being a highly-regarded starting pitcher from Japan drawing interest from 20 MLB teams upon his international free agency posting, he wound up with the Dodgers and immediately had mile-high expectations - not only as a member of the defending champs but as a pitcher in a lethal rotation. The phenom tossed a 4.72 ERA though his first eight games, showing signs of a slower velocity on his fastball than what his four years in Japan indicated and a lack of command on the mound."
Roki Sasaki entered Game 2 of the NLDS to record the final out and earned the second save of his MLB career, both saves occurring in the postseason. Dodgers hesitated to use him in the ninth since he had closed Game 1, but Sasaki said he felt able to pitch on back-to-back days after an intense throw on his off day. Sasaki arrived from Japan as a highly regarded starting prospect and joined the Dodgers with high expectations. Early MLB results included a 4.72 ERA over eight starts, reduced velocity and command issues, and a shoulder impingement that sidelined him for months. During Triple-A rehab he increased his fastball by more than 4 mph, and the Dodgers began deploying him in relief.
Read at Dodgers Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]