A much-maligned Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has received a significant boost in the postseason from Roki Sasaki, who has made three appearances and converted two save opportunities thus far.
After struggling in his rookie season as a starter and again while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sasaki welcomed a role change in late September with a hope of contributing for the Dodgers in the playoffs.
His latest triumph came with three perfect innings to help the Dodgers outlast and eliminate the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
The appearance amounted to Sasaki making MLB postseason history by not allowing a baserunner in the eighth, ninth or 10th innings of a closeout win.
In MLB postseason history, only one pitcher has tossed a perfect 8th, a perfect 9th and a perfect 10th in a series-clinching victory.
That one pitcher was the @Dodgers' Roki Sasaki yesterday – as a 23-year-old rookie. pic.twitter.com/rfNAxq04hG
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 10, 2025
“Oh, my gosh. You’re talking about one of the great all-time appearances out of the ‘pen that I can remember,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Game 4.
“Certainly given where he started this year, what he is as a starting pitcher, to go out there and not only go one inning, two innings and then three innings, and to do what he did gave us a huge boost. I can’t speak enough to his growth and his contribution to this club.
“We’re starting to see something really special in him, and that’s why he was courted so hard in the offseason. But what he’s done now on the biggest of stages, he’s just scratching the surface. But couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Roberts initially only planned to have Sasaki pitch two innings, but sent the right-hander back out for the 10th due to his efficiency and success.
Roki Sasaki stats as relief pitcher
During his two games as a reliever at the end of the regular season, Sasaki allowed just one hit and collected four strikeouts over two scoreless innings.
In four postseason games out of the bullpen thus far, he’s given up one hit and has five strikeouts across 5.1 scoreless innings en route to two saves.
Sasaki’s appearance in Game 2 of the NLDS made MLB history as he became the first pitcher MLB history to earn his first two career saves in the postseason.
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