The Los Angeles Dodgers assembled what had the makings of a stout bullpen but the group wholly underperformed during the regular season and into the playoffs thus far.
It’s amounted to an opportunity — if not need — for Roki Sasaki to temporarily pitch in a new role. Sasaki made just two relief appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City at the end of his rehab assignment, and then two more upon being activated by the Dodgers.
Those have since been followed by three relief appearances in the postseason, including back-to-back saves in the National League Division Series. The quick rise to prominence thrust Sasaki into the conversation for taking over the closer role as other Dodgers relievers continue to falter.
Manager Dave Roberts has hesitated to anoint the rookie as such, but relented ahead of Game 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“He’s definitely the primary option now,” Roberts said.
But while Roberts has publicly declared Sasaki his top choice to take on the role of Dodgers closer, there is a significant caveat.
“I think that there’s a buildup. There’s also a component that we have to win X amount more games, and he’s not going to close every game,” Roberts added. “It’s just not feasible. So you’ve got to use other guys. But I think to the question, yeah, if it makes sense, he’ll definitely be finishing games.”
Roberts further noted the Dodgers have to find a “balance” with Sasaki in managing his workload and determining when he’s capable of potentially shouldering a heavier load.
That was part of the reason why the Dodgers initially turned to Blake Treinen in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NLDS.
“This is something he’s never done. And you’re expecting to go a few more weeks. So all that stuff has to play in that a lot of people don’t have any appreciation for,” Roberts said.
Roki Sasaki’s usage
Although the Dodgers had a preference of not pitching Sasaki in Game 2, it ultimately marked a second time he pitched twice in a three-day span.
It was an exercise the Dodgers were sure to test as the regular season wound to a close, which offers some comfort. But the next step would be pitching on back-to-back days. That scenario is one the team might not know if Sasaki can navigate until he’s tasked with doing so.
But in the meantime, there would be evaluation of Sasaki’s physical state.
“Talking to Bardo (Josh Bard), Connor (McGuiness), Mark (Prior), their catch play, how they’re feeling, how the ball’s coming out versus other days when they get more rest,” Roberts explained.
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