The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs opening the regular season with the Tokyo Series in Japan is a watershed moment not only for baseball but country as a whole.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto started for the Dodgers on Opening Day and was opposed by Shota Imanaga. They made MLB history as the first two Japanese-born pitchers to face each other in a regular season opener.
Next is Roki Sasaki getting to make his MLB debut in the finale of the Tokyo Series. Sasaki made the jump to Major League Baseball after establishing himself as one of the greatest pitchers to come out of Japan.
“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to since I was in school,” Sasaki said through an interpreter when asked about making his MLB debut. “To be able to make my debut in the Tokyo Dome is something I’m sure I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Sasaki began his professional career in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he spent four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
The 23-year-old will have the support of his hometown of Ofunato, Iwate, and entire country when he faces the Cubs.
“Even when things haven’t been going smoothly in my career, those people have supported me with passion and energy. I want to repay them with my performance,” Sasaki said.
Yamamoto was in the same situation as Sasaki last year when he made his MLB debut against the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series.
Sasaki didn’t ask Yamamoto for any specific advice but is confident his familiarity with Japan will help him find success.
“In someways the environment and atmosphere are things I’m used to. I want to take advantage of that,” Sasaki explained.
Sasaki isn’t sure if it would’ve been easier for him to make his MLB debut in the United States as opposed to Japan but nevertheless wants to take advantage of his unique opportunity.
“It’s difficult to know until I actually pitch in a game, but whether it’s my debut or not, the opportunity to pitch in Japan is limited so I just want to make the most of it.”
Dave Roberts won’t address MLB debut with Roki Sasaki
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t plan to meet with Sasaki about the emotions that will come with his MLB debut and instead plans to allow the right-hander take control himself.
“I think Roki understands how important this moment is for him, his family, the Japanese people. So I don’t want to add to the pressure. Sometimes I just like to let it play out, and that’s what I’m going to do,” Roberts said.
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