Sasaki's Breakout Performance
Roki Sasaki Dominates Yankees with Explosive Velocity, Solidifying Dodgers Rotation Spot
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Key Points
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Roberts compared Sasaki's outing to Yoshinobu Yamamoto's breakout, noting that Sasaki's velocity was up and his focus was evident, which fuels optimism that he can become a top-tier rotation piece.
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Sasaki fired 21 fastballs at 100 mph or faster, the most by a Dodgers pitcher since 2008, with eight of those at 101 mph or faster and all 21 being four-seamers.
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Overall, he threw 94 pitches, 58 for strikes, covering 5.2 innings and allowing one unearned run on five hits with five strikeouts.
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Dalton Rushing joked that Sasaki's splitter was so deceptive he had trouble catching it for half the game, calling it a positive sign for his development.
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This outing marked Sasaki's fifth game of the season with one or fewer runs allowed, underscoring how rare such performances have been for him this year.
Roki Sasaki threw 21 fastballs at 100 mph or faster against the New York Yankees on Friday night, the most by a Dodgers pitcher in a single game since 2008, as Los Angeles won 2-1 at Yankee Stadium. Heavy reported the outing quietly set a franchise record, with eight of those pitches hitting 101 mph or harder.
Sasaki went 5 2/3 innings, allowed just one unearned run on five hits, and struck out five. It was his fifth game this season allowing one or fewer runs — a sign the 24-year-old may finally be settling in as a reliable piece of the Dodgers rotation.
Sasaki's Velocity Returns to Japan-Era Form
All 21 of Sasaki's triple-digit fastballs were four-seamers, Heavy noted. That kind of explosive heat was the reason the Dodgers signed him in the first place. Earlier this season, injuries and inconsistency had buried those expectations.
Sporting News described Sasaki as "a totally different pitcher" on Friday night. His splitter played off the high velocity, making both pitches harder to hit. Catcher Dalton Rushing joked he had trouble catching the splitter for "half the game" — calling that a positive sign for how sharp it was.
Roberts Draws Yamamoto Comparison After Strong Start
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not hold back after the game. He compared Sasaki's outing to Yoshinobu Yamamoto's early breakout with Los Angeles. Roberts said the velocity and focus were both evident, calling it "very impressive."
The Sporting Tribune reported Roberts believes Sasaki can become a top-tier rotation piece if he sustains this form. That is a significant statement for a pitcher who has spent much of the season trying to find his footing in Major League Baseball.
Blake Snell's Return Complicates Rotation Picture
Sasaki's hold on his rotation spot is about to face a challenge. Blake Snell is nearing a rehab assignment and will soon be ready to return to the active roster. That forces the Dodgers to make tough decisions about who stays in the rotation.
Friday's start strengthened Sasaki's case to stay. He threw 94 pitches, 58 for strikes, across 5.2 innings. If he can keep pitching like this, the Dodgers may not need to add a starter at the trade deadline — making Sasaki's development one of the most important storylines of their summer.
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