The Los Angeles Dodgers came into the postseason with a glaring weakness. Their bullpen had become unreliable, and the team knew they had to do something.
So, the Blue Crew decided to move Roki Sasaki into the bullpen. This was a bit of an easy choice given he missed four months of the regular season while dealing with right shoulder impingement, and was only cleared late into the regular season.
Nevertheless, he has been fantastic as a high-leverage reliever. He has yet to give up a run during the playoffs, giving the Dodgers a sense of stability when the game matters the most.
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki receives high praise from Blake Treinen
Blake Treinen knows how difficult it can be to pitch in high-leverage situations. He has closed out numerous games throughout his career and is happy to see Sasaki thriving and helping the team in any situation that he can.
He understands the difference Sasaki has made for them. The 2018 All-Star went as far as to say that Sasaki is a 'godsend' for the club, via Dodgers Nation's Aaron Coloma.
"What he's been doing since he's been back has been a godsend to us," said Treinen. "It's been amazing somebody that is presumably that confident, and dominant, because we're seeing what Roki Sasaki really is as a pitcher."
Sasaki will continue to work out of the bullpen for the remainder of the postseason. After the season comes to a close, look for the club to bolster its bullpen and have Sasaki return to being a starting pitcher.