Roki Sasaki
Breakdown
Performance
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July 9, 2026
Bounces back with quality start
Sasaki allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Wednesday.
Analysis
Sasaki allowed home runs to Kyle Karros and Edouard Julien in the second inning but was otherwise effective in a baseline quality start. Entering Wednesday, Sasaki had allowed 19 runs over 17 innings across his previous four starts, so this was a significant step in the right direction. The right-hander has pitched to a 5.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 80:33 K:BB through 81 innings over 16 starts this season. Homers have been a noticeable issue -- he's allowed 19 so far.
July 3, 2026
Another rough outing Thursday
Sasaki allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters over three innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Thursday.
Analysis
Sasaki's outing began ominously when the first batter he faced, Fernando Tatis, rocked him for a 116-mph double. That proved to be a precursor for what was to come, as the Padres pounded him for seven extra-base hits, including three homers. Manager Dave Roberts finally pulled the plug on Sasaki after three frames and a whopping 88 pitches. Sasaki was fortunate to escape with a no-decision since the Dodgers' offense exploded for 12 runs, but it was unquestionably a troubling outing by the Japanese hurler, who has now given up 19 runs over his past four starts spanning 17 innings. After the game, Roberts said that Sasaki will make his next start but indicated that the team will do a "deep dive" into the pitcher to determine what went wrong, which will include trying to determine if he was tipping his pitches, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.