Roki Sasaki’s Secret Weapon: How the Dodgers’ Unexpected Closer is Shutting Down the Postseason with Unstoppable Precision
Then, in a Sept. 9 start against Sacramento (no, not against the A’s), his velocity returned, and he struck out eight River Cats as he touched triple digits in the velocity category for the first time in months. Looking at the scenario in the big leagues — L.A.’s starting pitchers were getting healthy and the bullpen was imploding — the Dodgers moved Sasaki into a relief role. He struck out three while allowing just one walk in two appearances out of the bullpen.
Called up to the bigs for the first time since May, Sasaki struck out four of the seven batters he faced over two scoreless relief outings. It was the first light the Dodgers had seen out of their bullpen all month, and given the state of the bullpen, it was enough for manager Dave Roberts to decide Sasaki was worthy of high-leverage situations in October.



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