Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese pitcher, made notable progress during his third start with the Los Angeles Dodgers, demonstrating improved command and control. Unlike his previous outings, where he struggled with walks and fastball accuracy, Sasaki excelled in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed just one run over four-plus innings and displayed an effective split-finger fastball. Manager Dave Roberts praised Sasaki's ability to adjust and grow amid his transition from Japan's league to Major League Baseball, marking a promising development in his rookie season.
Unlike in his first two outings, when Sasaki wildly sprayed his fastball and worked from behind in what felt like every at-bat, the right-hander finally showed some consistent command in the Dodgers' 3-1 win.
Over four-plus innings, Sasaki allowed just one run on three hits, all of them singles. After walking nine batters in his first two outings, he issued just two free passes Saturday.
Most of all, with the help of first-pitch strikes to 13 of his 17 batters, Sasaki worked a pitcher's count to almost everyone he faced.
The challenge for this season, at least, was how Sasaki could keep improving the finer details of his game while acclimating to an immediate transition from Japan to the big leagues.
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