In a high-stakes matchup on May 9, 2025, Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the game didn’t unfold as hoped for the young pitcher. Sasaki, who was making his first start on a five-day rest, struggled significantly, allowing five runs over just 5 innings pitched, ultimately preventing him from securing his second win of the season.
Sasaki’s performance was marked by a notable absence of strikeouts, a first in his professional career. His pitch speed, which once soared to a maximum of 97.5 miles per hour (approximately 156.9 kilometers), averaged out at 94.8 miles per hour (about 152.6 kilometers) during the game. This decline in speed has raised questions among fans and analysts alike, especially considering his previous record of throwing at speeds reaching 165 kilometers in Japan.
The game began with a rocky start for Sasaki. In the first inning, he walked the leadoff batter, Ketel Marte, who then hit a solo home run, tying the game early. Following that, Sasaki allowed a two-run hit to Eugenio Suarez, resulting in a quick 3-1 deficit for the Dodgers. This marked the first time in Sasaki's career that he conceded two home runs in a single inning, a statistic that highlights the challenges he faced on the mound.
Despite Sasaki's struggles, the Dodgers' offense rallied to support him. In the second inning, E. Hernandez launched a solo home run, followed by Shohei Ohtani’s timely double that tied the game. The third inning saw the Dodgers explode for five runs, including a crucial two-RBI single from Pages, pushing the score to 8-3.
However, the game was played under challenging conditions, with the roof open and the temperature soaring to 36 degrees Celsius, coupled with a low humidity of 12%. These factors contributed to a dry environment that made pitching particularly difficult, affecting control and increasing the likelihood of home runs.
After the game, Sasaki expressed his feelings of responsibility for the team’s performance, stating, "Today, even though my pitching wasn't great, we scored eight runs. I feel like I should have done better to ensure a win, but I’m really glad the team came through."
Mark Prior, the Dodgers' pitching coach, weighed in on Sasaki's performance and the apparent dip in pitch speed. He acknowledged that while everyone knows Sasaki can throw 100 miles per hour, the team has opted for a more controlled approach to enhance his command. Prior noted, "We’re not having him throw 100 miles. We’re supporting him as much as we can, and he’s adjusting to the demands of MLB pitching. The first few games have impacted his control significantly."
Sasaki's current record stands at 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA after seven starts this season. The Dodgers continue to show confidence in the young pitcher, hoping that he will find his rhythm as the season progresses. The team remains optimistic that Sasaki will return to his previous form, dominating the mound as he did in Japan.
As the season unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching to see if Sasaki can bounce back from this outing and regain his elite form. With the Dodgers’ potent lineup backing him, there’s every reason to believe he’ll be able to turn things around in his next start.
