Los Angeles Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts did greater than reward Roki Sasaki after the right-hander dominated the New York Mets on Friday evening. He recognized a change that might matter nicely past one July begin.
“I believed his final begin he was incredible, and tonight I believe was even higher,” Roberts stated, per Nelson Espinal of Dodgers Nation.
Sasaki backed that evaluation with seven innings of one-run baseball in Los Angeles’ 4-2 win at Citi Discipline. The 24-year-old allowed three hits and two walks, struck out 9, and threw 63 of his 94 pitches for strikes. His lone mistake was a second-inning solo homer by Luis Robert Jr.
The efficiency gave Sasaki his first win since Might 23 and lowered his ERA from 4.98 to 4.71. He now owns a 4-5 file, 94 strikeouts, and a 1.29 WHIP throughout 93 2/3 innings in 18 begins.
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Dave Roberts Sees a Completely different Roki Sasaki
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 21: Los Angeles Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts appears on earlier than a sport towards the Philadelphia Phillies at Residents Financial institution Park on July 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Picture by Emilee Chinn/Getty Photographs)
Roberts’ most necessary remark had little to do with radar-gun readings. Sasaki touched 100 mph solely as soon as after firing 21 pitches at triple digits towards the New York Yankees one week earlier. The supervisor as an alternative pointed to a pitcher whose supply has grow to be repeatable and whose focus has shifted from mechanics to attacking hitters.
“He doesn’t look like he’s looking out anymore,” Roberts stated, in keeping with MLB.com.
That confirmed after the Robert homer. Sasaki retired the ultimate 9 Mets he confronted and matched his season excessive with seven innings. He additionally struck out Jorge Polanco, Bo Bichette, and Francisco Lindor in succession within the sixth, marking the primary time he struck out the aspect within the majors.
The splitter drove all the things. Sasaki threw it on 47% of his pitches—up sharply from his 26% season fee—and generated a career-high 21 whiffs total. Mets hitters chased the splitter beneath the zone and had no reply as soon as Sasaki paired it with a growing slider.
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Sasaki’s Turnaround Modifications Dodgers’ October Outlook
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 24: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches through the second inning towards the New York Mets at Citi Discipline on July 24, 2026 in New York Metropolis. (Picture by Jim McIsaac/Getty Photographs)
One nice evening could be encouraging. Three consecutive sturdy begins qualify as a pattern.
Since a tough July 2 outing towards the San Diego Padres raised issues that Sasaki was tipping pitches, he has posted a 1.93 ERA over his final three begins. He has recorded 19 strikeouts towards 4 walks in 18 2/3 innings throughout that stretch.
These numbers make Roberts’ pleasure simpler to know. Sasaki nonetheless should show the command and effectivity will final, particularly after an uneven first half. But the Dodgers instantly have one other starter constructing momentum whereas well being questions encompass their embellished rotation.
Sasaki might not be assured an October rotation spot. But when this model sticks, limiting him to an assumed bullpen position would grow to be more and more troublesome. The Dodgers signed Sasaki for his ace-level ceiling. In opposition to the Mets, Roberts noticed that future transferring a lot nearer to the current at exactly the fitting time for a Los Angeles workforce chasing one other championship.
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