Roki Sasaki’s Postseason Breakout: Can the Rookie Phenom Overcome Past Struggles to Dominate the Playoffs?

LOS ANGELES — When Roki Sasaki stepped onto the mound to seal the Dodgers’ deal against the Reds, it wasn’t just another inning—it was a statement. That flawless ninth frame didn’t just wrap up an NL Wild Card sweep; it flipped the script on what the Dodgers’ bullpen could be. Here’s this fresh-faced phenom from Japan, arms swinging heaters at triple digits and striking out batters like seasoned veterans, all while celebrating with a beer and goggles in a batting cage illuminated more brightly than a surgical suite. It’s a sight that’s as much about the sport as it is about breaking molds and raising questions—could this 23-year-old rookie be the closer the Dodgers never officially picked during the regular season?

Trust from skipper Dave Roberts is clear: “He’s going to be pitching in leverage,” Roberts said confidently, signaling that high-stakes innings are now Sasaki’s territory. But let’s rewind—Sasaki’s start to the MLB was anything but smooth, grappling with control issues and bouncing between injuries and minor league rehab. Once a dominant name in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, he arrived with sky-high expectations, yet early in the season, the big leagues exposed some rough edges. Four walks here, five innings with just 25 strikes there—it had many wondering if he could handle the big stage.

But fast forward to now—off the 60-day injured list and into the postseason spotlight—Sasaki’s relief outing showed promise and poise beyond his years. From shaky first stints in Tokyo to redefining his role on the Dodgers, this young arm is rewriting the playoff script. It’s a wild ride that’s just getting started, and me? I’m all eyes on what comes next. LEARN MORE

LOS ANGELES — Roki Sasaki dazzled in his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, closing out their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a perfect ninth inning in the NL Wild Card Series.

The youthful looking rookie from Japan celebrated with a beer in his hand and goggles on in the team’s batting cage after their 8-4 victory advanced the Dodgers to the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Dodgers partied in the cage, lit up like a surgery center, rather than their remodeled clubhouse featuring high-tech screens that could be ruined by sprays of beer and Champagne.

Sasaki got Spencer Steer and former Dodger Gavin Lux on swinging strikeouts — with 100-mph pitches — before retiring Austin Hays on a lineout to shortstop that started the celebration.

The Dodgers went without a designated closer during the regular season. Did the 23-year-old from Japan earn the role for the postseason?

“I trust him, and he’s going to be pitching in leverage,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So the more you pitch guys and play guys, you learn more. I don’t think the moment’s going to be too big for Roki.”

It appeared to be too big for Sasaki early in the season. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in January, receiving a $6.5 million signing bonus because he was under age 25 and subject to international signing bonus pool rules. Sasaki spent the last four seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League

Expectations were high for the pitcher who’s been a dominant force at every other stop in his fast-rising career.

Sasaki made his major league debut with the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, where he walked five in three innings while throwing just 25 strikes among 56 pitches.

His Dodger Stadium debut on March 29 ended in the second inning he again struggled with his control. He issued four walks and got only five outs while throwing 61 pitches to just 12 batters.

Sasaki came off the 60-day injured list on Sept. 24 and made his first career relief appearance against Arizona. It was his first appearance in the majors since May 9 because of a shoulder injury. All eight of his previous MLB outings were starts, though he did make a few relief appearances during his stint at Triple-A Oklahoma City.