Steve Webb
PHILADELPHIA — Saturday’s 3–1 win over the Phillies was more than just a W in the standings—it was Roki Sasaki’s breakout moment in a Dodgers uniform. After two shaky starts, the 22-year-old phenom finally found his footing, tossing four strong innings and giving up just one run in what was easily the best outing of his young MLB career.
But the story isn’t just in the box score. It’s in the work that happened behind the scenes—and in what Rōki revealed afterward about the adjustments that got him here.
Rōki said the key to his improvement came two days before the game, during a bullpen session. Midway through that side session, something clicked. He made an adjustment to how he was using his lower body—how he shifted his weight, how he maintained balance—and that gave him control back over his pitches, especially his forkball (splitter).
“I thought, ‘Maybe this is it,’” he said, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton. “After that, I felt a lot more stable.”
That stability was the difference. Unlike his previous starts, where he had trouble throwing strikes, Sasaki was aggressive in the zone on Saturday. He said the ability to throw strikes wasn’t just a mental thing—it was technical.
“When I couldn’t get strikes in the past, it wasn’t about my mindset,” he explained. “It was about my form. I fixed that, and I think that helped me stay calmer on the mound.”
There’s been a lot of talk about Sasaki’s raw talent, but what really stood out postgame was his mature approach. He admitted that yes, he had some nerves coming into the game—how could he not, after the rocky start to his MLB journey? But he also said something revealing:
“If I have something I can believe in—something solid—then I don’t have to worry about how I feel. I just trust it and go.”
That’s exactly what he did.
He leaned heavily on his fastball and splitter, saying he felt confident enough in those two pitches to stick with them for most of the game. There will be nights when he needs the slider more, but this time, the heater and the forkball were working, and that was enough.
His teammates noticed, too. Max Muncy said watching the splitter from the dugout reminded him of Tyler Glasnow’s curveball—that’s how much it was dropping. “The bottom just falls out of it,” Muncy said. “You could tell their hitters were having a hard time picking it up.”
Sasaki was especially proud that even though it was only four innings, he was able to stay consistent from beginning to end. He didn’t fade. He didn’t lose command. He just kept making pitches. That’s huge for a rookie trying to build trust in his routine—and trust from his coaching staff.
“I learned this time how important it is to have something you can trust,” Sasaki said. “That’s what gives you confidence.”
And now? He has it.
The next time out, the leash might be a little longer. The plan might include more than just four innings. But the Dodgers now know something important: Roki Sasaki belongs. Not someday. Now.
The stuff has always been there. Saturday night proved that the poise, the preparation, and the polish are coming too.
Get ready, MLB. The Roki era is about to begin.
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