The Los Angeles are confident right-hander Loki Sasaki can maintain his high level of performance in recent weeks, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Sasaki went on the disabled list in May and remained there until September. His rehab assignment lasted more than a month, and his performance in the minors did not improve much. After making adjustments with the help of the , Sasaki stepped into his new role in the bullpen and quickly came into his own.
He pitched two hitless innings in his final two rehab appearances and returned to MLB as a reliever at the end of the regular season. He appeared twice in the ‘ final two series, striking out two batters and holding his opponents scoreless in each.
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He has allowed just one hit in three postseason games and recorded his first MLB save against the Phillies on Saturday.
“Sasaki’s return is their latest victory, and they are confident it is here to stay with the extra strength he developed during his time off, the cues they found to hone his delivery, and the dominance he experienced in the bullpen,” Passan wrote.
The were in dire need of a reliable relief pitcher late in the season, and with Sasaki’s unstoppable presence on the mound, it’s safe to say they found that person.
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However, his season wasn’t always smooth sailing, and he struggled through the first half of his rookie season before suffering an injury. Sasaki posted a 4.72 ERA in his first eight MLB starts and had just 24 strikeouts in 34.1 innings pitched.
The are definitely keeping an eye on Sasaki in a high-leverage situation for the rest of the postseason, with their next game potentially coming against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the National LDS on Thursday. The lost Game 3 at home and will look to take on Philadelphia again in Game 4.
Tyler Glasnow made his second appearance against the Phillies after a scoreless relief appearance in Game 1, hoping to keep the in the game after Wednesday’s blowout loss. Game 4 begins Thursday at 3:08 p.m. PT.
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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