Roki Sasaki's transition to Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been rocky, marked by control issues. In his debut at Dodger Stadium, he lasted only two innings against the Detroit Tigers, issuing four walks and throwing 61 pitches. This follows a similarly challenging appearance against the Chicago Cubs, where he also struggled with walks. While he remains a highly regarded prospect from Japan, his inconsistent splitter and control have been points of concern. Despite these setbacks, his teammates maintain confidence in his talent and potential for improvement in upcoming games.
Sasaki didn't blame nervousness for his wildness, although his manager and catcher said it had to be a factor. 'I felt like I was able to get into the game pretty well, without any nerves,' he said.
'We have full faith in him,' catcher Will Smith said. 'He's a super-talented pitcher. He knows what he's doing. He's pitched on the biggest stages and stuff like that.'
Sasaki's Dodger Stadium debut ended in the second inning Saturday night after the touted right-hander again struggled with his control against the Detroit Tigers.
Sasaki isn't getting consistency from his splitter, which can be unhittable at its best.
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