Why Dodgers’ Dave Roberts has been increasingly impressed by Roki Sasaki

As the Los Angeles Dodgers had been in a slump as of late, the hope is that the 12-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday could help reenergize the team, especially when it comes to pitcher Roki Sasaki. With Sasaki in an early-season slump of his own for the Dodgers, he has improved, with manager Dave Roberts speaking about the areas he’s seen the most in.

Sasaki would get the start on Saturday, getting his first recorded win of the season after striking out five batters, though allowing four earned runs, seven hits, and walking five. Ken Rosenthal would speak to Roberts during Saturday’s outing, as he mentioned how Sasaki has been getting better in the last few starts.

“I’m impressed, I think the last few starts, he’s gotten better,” Roberts said. “And today, you know, the splits going for a strike, he’s getting the swing and miss that we want, the fastball is playing, and he’s giving up a couple homers, solo homers, but you know, right there in it, and he’s managing his pitch count. So I like what I see today.”

“I’ve been impressed, I think his last few starts, he’s gotten better.”

Dave Roberts spoke with @Ken_Rosenthal about what’s seen from Roki Sasaki lately, and his thoughts on the team being out of ABS Challenges early into tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/9vkHmULEXn

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 26, 2026

Dave Roberts on the step forward from the Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki

There’s no denying that Sasaki is still a work in progress, especially since he had the idea of throwing his splitter pitch harder, similar to the way he did in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, according to Katie Woo. Having thrown 99 pitches in the win, “nearly half were splitters,” as Woo mentioned, with Roberts saying how the outing was a “bigger step forward.”

“I do think that this outing today is something that is a bigger step forward,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He hasn’t set us back at all, and we’re taking this on, as far as his growth. But today was a really good one. And I hope he feels the same way about his outing.”

At any rate, Sosaki looks to continue to improve with his next scheduled start slated for Saturday, May 2, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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