Dave Roberts Calls Roki Sasaki the 'Primary Option' to Close Games for the Dodgers

"Roberts had been coy in specifically saying how he'd deploy the young pitcher. At this point, there was no hiding what Sasaki's role is going to be moving forward for the Dodgers. "He's definitely the primary option," Roberts said. "I think that there's a build up, there's also a component that we have to win [nine] more games and he's not going to close every game. It's not feasible. To the question, if it makes sense, [Sasaki] will be finishing games.""

"There are moments where the perceived stopper will come in the game quite possibly in the seventh or eighth innings to take on the opposing team's heart of the order. In the post Kenley Jansen era, the Dodgers have utilized a handful of arms to close out games based on the situations placed in front of them. From Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott, and Alex Vesia to Brusdar Graterol, Walker Buehler, and Evan Phillips, the recent teams haven't relied on one guy to shut the door."

"This has been a collective question on the minds of many who've watched the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen struggle to piece together scoreless innings. Given the volatility of the bullpen, it was a near certainty that manager Dave Roberts would be asked about the possible rotation of his arms ahead of Game 3. Roberts had been coy in specifically saying how he'd deploy the young pitcher. At this point, there was no hiding what Sasaki's role is going to be moving forward for the Dodgers."

Roki Sasaki has emerged as the Dodgers' primary late-inning option and earned back-to-back NLDS saves while projecting as a starter next season. Sasaki will be the primary choice to finish games when matchups and workload make sense, though he will not close every game. The Dodgers use modern bullpen strategy by deploying high-leverage relievers earlier to face key hitters. In the post-Kenley Jansen era the team has rotated multiple relievers to close depending on situation. This offseason's abundance of quality starters enabled deployment of Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, Sasaki, and Clayton Kershaw in relief. Alex Vesia has been adequate; Blake Treinen has struggled.

Read at Dodgers Nation