The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to the NLCS once again, which has become a familiar feat for the franchise over the last several seasons. This NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies was a series full of intense battles—except for Game 3, which was more one-sided. However, the most impressive player throughout the series was rookie Roki Sasaki, who wasn’t initially expected to make the postseason roster.
“The Dodgers no longer can count on rookie Roki Sasaki helping them down the stretch. His velocity is nowhere near the 102 mph he threw in Japan. He has thrown 59 fastballs through his two rehab starts, and has generated only one swing-and-miss,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.
In every game he appeared in during this series, Sasaki made some sort of history. In Game 1, he and Shohei Ohtani made history together.
“In the process, Ohtani and Sasaki became the first Japanese-born starter/reliever combo to earn both the win and save in the same postseason game,” MLB.com’s Brent Maguire wrote.
In the first two games, Sasaki also made individual history by collecting his first two saves.
“Since saves became official in 1969, Roki Sasaki of the Dodgers is the only MLB pitcher to have his first 2 career saves (reg or post) both come in the postseason,” Opta Stats posted.
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Finally, after Game 4 on Thursday, Sasaki did something no other relief pitcher has ever accomplished in the bullpen—and he was perfect doing it.
“In MLB postseason history, only one pitcher has tossed a perfect 8th, a perfect 9th and a perfect 10th in a series-clinching victory. That one pitcher was the Dodgers' Roki Sasaki yesterday—as a 23-year-old rookie,” Opta Stats posted.
Sasaki has truly asserted himself during this run. After this performance, it doesn’t appear he’s going anywhere anytime soon. What he did in the NLDS was incredible, and the Dodgers want him to maintain that level for the rest of the playoffs.
Now, the Dodgers will shift their attention to either the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers. The hope is that Sasaki doesn’t lose his edge.
More MLB news:
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- Mets predicted to deal Sean Manaea for 8-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, replacing Brett Baty