Roki Sasaki Sees Encouraging Results From Past Starts

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Rokki Sasaki's Stellar Performance Against the Angels

Rokki Sasaki recently delivered an exceptional performance for the Dodgers in the Freeway Series against the Angels, marking a significant milestone in his Major League career. Sasaki pitched seven innings, allowing only one run, securing eight strikeouts, and remarkably, not issuing a single walk for the first time in his Major League career. This outing is noted as his best start to date.

Sasaki's ability to effectively control his pitches has been a focal point of discussion. Historically, there were doubts about his capability to maintain a starter role, primarily due to issues with his splitter command. A straight fastball compounded these concerns, and without a reliable splitter, hitters were able to anticipate and prepare for the fastball more easily. However, in his recent starts, Sasaki has demonstrated a significant improvement, achieving a 72% strike rate with the splitter, and maintaining it in the strike zone 57% of the time.

This improvement is attributed to a slight adjustment in his grip, suggesting that Sasaki may have overcome previous challenges with the pitch. This adjustment is crucial as it not only enhances the effectiveness of his fastball but also complements his arsenal that includes a gyro slider, adding depth to his pitching capabilities.

While there is some consideration on whether Sasaki's performance should be viewed with a degree of skepticism due to the Angels' current struggles, his overall improvement in strike-throwing is a positive sign. This development represents a promising advance in Sasaki's career and could be a significant boon for the Dodgers going forward, especially given their current needs in the starting rotation.