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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to the media ahead of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.
More news: Dodgers All-Star Sends Clear Message to Bullpen Amid Postseason Run
Roberts revealed rookie closer Roki Sasaki will be available out of the bullpen Friday night for the elimination matchup between the defending champions and Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers have a 3-0 lead over Milwaukee, and could punch their ticket to the World Series with a sweep over the team with the best record in baseball.
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Sasaki has never pitched in relief on consecutive days, so an appearance in Game 4 would mark the first time the Japanese fireballer has done so.
The story of Sasaki is an incredible one as the starter-turner-reliever began the 2025 season as a member of the Dodgers rotation. The right-hander accrued a 4.72 ERA across eight starts before landing on the injured list with right shoulder impingement.
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Sasaki's time away from the team proved to be valuable as he fixed his drop in velocity and issues with command. Now, he's the Dodgers' go-to guy in high-leverage situations.
“His growth has been certainly not linear,” Roberts said. “At that point in time, where he was scuffling and emotional on the bench, and there’s a lot of video and photos of that, and for him to kind of self-reflect, get healthy and put himself back on the radar for our 2025 ballclub speaks to his fight.
“And I don’t think anyone could have foreseen him in this role in April or May. So, I give a lot of credit to Roki to kind of get to that point. And now he can look back at 2025 and look fondly at it.”
Sasaki has a 1.29 ERA in the postseason. He's tossed seven innings for LA in October, allowing just one earned run. The right-hander recorded three saves and four games finished thus far.
Sasaki has retired the first 15 batters he's faced at home to begin his postseason career, according to OptaSTATS. The only longer streaks by any player to begin their postseason career at home in MLB history are by Don Larsen and Jim Lonborg.
The Dodgers' bullpen struggles throughout the season proved to be their weak spot heading into the playoffs, but Sasaki emerged as somewhat of a secret weapon for LA. Now, he'll be available to close out Game 4 of the NLCS in what could perhaps be the biggest test for the rookie in his young MLB career.
More news: Dodgers Manager Reveals Where LA Needs to Improve Amid NLCS Dominance
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