Roki Sasaki is preparing for his next start with the Dodgers, looking to secure his second win of the season. After a tough outing on May 3 (local time) where he allowed three runs over six innings and took the loss, the young right-hander has the full confidence of manager Dave Roberts. Roberts has given his seal of approval to Sasaki’s recently refined “weapon” — a revamped pitch that has shown signs of dominance in training.
The upcoming game against the San Francisco Giants, scheduled for May 12 (Japan time), will be Sasaki’s chance to bounce back. In his previous start, the righty settled down after a rough third inning, tossing four hitless frames to finish with a quality start, but he didn’t receive any run support. Despite the loss, Roberts praised Sasaki’s progress, noting that his improved slider and splitter have been particularly effective. “He’s in a good place right now,” the manager said. “The adjustments he’s made to his signature pitch are paying off. I feel confident he’ll deliver a strong performance.”
Sasaki, who struggled early in the season, has shown steady growth in recent outings. His command and composure have improved, and the coaching staff believes the tweaks to his primary weapon will be key to future success. With the Dodgers looking to end a four-game skid, all eyes will be on the 23-year-old to see if his refined arsenal can translate into a much-needed win.
