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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki has struggled with his command this season, resulting in poor starts. Sasaki’s struggles continued in the Dodgers' second straight loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
Even though Sasaki didn't get through five innings, manager Dave Roberts did see some improvement from his young right-hander, which Sasaki can build off of.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts feels Roki Sasaki was “more efficient” against the Colorado Rockies
“I thought he [Sasaki] was more efficient. I thought he got ground balls when he needed to, got some quick fly balls,” Roberts said postgame to SportsNet LA. “And I really wanted him to get through that fifth inning. But with [TJ] Rumfield up, I felt, you know, Alex was going to give us a better chance to kind of keep the game there, but overall, better, better outing.“
Despite his “efficient” outing, Sasaki didn’t get through five innings, as he allowed seven hits, two walks, and three earned runs on 78 pitches (43 strikes). The 24-year-old’s previous two starts were much of the same, totaling eight earned runs, eight walks, and 11 strikeouts in nine innings.
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The problem with Sasaki this season has been his walks (12 walks in 17.2 innings), but his four-seam fastball has not been effective. In 21 at-bats (109 pitches) against his fastball, opposing hitters are hitting .381 with a .714 slugging percentage and have hit two home runs off the pitch.
A reason for the change in the effectiveness of his fastball could be the fact that Sasaki has changed his arm angle. In 2025, Sasaki’s arm angle was 45 degrees; this season, it’s increased to 50 degrees.
Changing this up and being more on top of the baseball should be a focus in Sasaki’s bullpens to get him back on track.
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