Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
3h ago

Dodgers Turn to Roki Sasaki as De Facto NLCS Closer After Dominant October

A rehabbing starter turned late-inning weapon now anchors a shaky bullpen.

Image
Image
one in the regular seaosn against the Seattle Mariners and another in the postseason against the Phillies but in the end,

Overview

  • Manager Dave Roberts has turned to the 23-year-old as the de facto ninth-inning option after 7.1 scoreless innings between late September and the playoffs, with two hits allowed.
  • The NLCS opens Monday in Milwaukee, where the Brewers likewise lean on rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski in high-leverage relief.
  • Los Angeles lacks a settled closer due to Tanner Scott’s postseason ineligibility and Blake Treinen’s unreliability, elevating Sasaki by necessity.
  • Sasaki shifted to one-inning relief following a mid-May shoulder impingement and an August Triple-A rehab, then earned his roster spot with two scoreless outings to end September.
  • His triple-digit fastball and splitter have overpowered top hitters, though Roberts says he ideally keeps Sasaki to single-inning stints given the limited sample.