Full Breakdown
Roki Sasaki Reinvents Pitching in Dodgers’ 12-4 Win
4/26/2026, 10:22:07 PM
Sasaki’s New Pitch Mix Leads Dodgers Past Cubs
On April 26, 2026, Roki Sasaki started for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 12-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. Over five-plus innings he gave up four runs, three homers, and seven hits, issuing his first walk in the sixth. The outing marked a shift from his low-spin forkball to a faster splitter, which made up nearly half of his 99 pitches.
From Japanese League to MLB: A Shift in Identity
Sasaki entered MLB after a rapid rise in the Japanese league, where a 100-mph fastball and a forkball earned him projections as Japan’s first Cy Young Award winner. His power-pitcher identity clashed with the Dodgers’ developmental philosophy, prompting a reassessment of his repertoire.
Pitching Numbers from the Game
- 99 total pitches, 48 splitters (?48%).
- Splitters averaged 90.8 mph, ~6 mph faster than before.
- Fastball topped out at 98.5 mph, below his pre-MLB peak.
- The start left him with a 6.35 ERA and his first win.
Dodgers Management on Sasaki’s Adjustment
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Sasaki’s willingness to alter his pitch mix, calling it a sign of trust and growth. He said the coaching staff balanced guidance with player autonomy, letting Sasaki explore new options. Sasaki said his reduced forkball usage is his main obstacle and stressed improving pitch quality.
Self-Assessment and Fan Response
Sasaki said the win depended on the Dodgers’ lineup and bullpen, feeling “saved” by teammates. He added his fastball and new slider were hit hard and his performance remains below his Japanese benchmark.
Attribution Ambiguity and Unanswered Questions
The source does not clarify whether the “bread-and-butter pitch” quote came from Roberts or another person, creating attribution ambiguity. Sasaki declined to answer if he can recapture his former velocity and movement, leaving his trajectory uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “With a player you don’t know and you don’t have a lot of history with, you gotta play that balancing act of building trust and letting them find their way a little bit while keeping an eye on what you feel are opportunities to get better,” — Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager.
- “And to do that in the middle of the season and change the profile of a certain pitch which has been your bread-and-butter pitch is a lot of trust and growth for Roki.” — Dave Roberts.
- “I think that my No. 1 problem hasn’t been my fastball but rather the percentage of forkballs I’ve been able to throw over the plate,” — Roki Sasaki, pitcher.
- “I gave up four runs today, and it was the kind of game in which I was saved by the lineup and relievers. But the fact the fans would still cheer for me like that made me feel, ‘I’ll do my best next time.’” — Roki Sasaki.
What’s Next for Sasaki
Sasaki said he will keep prioritizing pitch quality and monitoring hitters, indicating ongoing adjustments to raise his performance this season.
