Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki experienced a significant setback in his recent start against the Padres, raising concerns about the consistency of his performance. Sasaki surrendered three runs over four innings and issued five walks in a 7-1 loss at Petco Park, a stark contrast to the promising outings he had delivered in previous weeks.
Fluctuations in Velocity and Command
Sasaki's struggles were evident in his reduced fastball velocity and lack of command. On Friday night, his fastball velocity averaged 97.7 mph, down from the 98.3 to 98.8 mph range seen in his preceding four starts. In those earlier games, he also consistently reached speeds of 99 mph or faster multiple times, a mark he achieved only five times against the Padres. "There weren’t many times I was able to throw comfortably," Sasaki stated after the game.
His delivery, described as complex with multiple moving body parts, appeared to be a contributing factor. When his delivery is not synchronized, both his velocity and command suffer. This was observable from the first inning, which included a 10-pitch walk to Samad Taylor. In the second inning, Sasaki issued another 10-pitch walk to Manny Machado and then walked Gavin Sheets. Later in the inning, a slider left over the middle of the plate was hit for a three-run home run.
A Shift in Performance
Sasaki's season had shown a notable improvement starting in mid-May. A game against the Phillies marked a turning point, where he rediscovered his fastball, touching 100 mph for the first time this season. He described that game as the one where he was "able to pitch most like me." His velocity remained consistent over the subsequent three starts, although one outing on June 12 resulted in a season-worst seven runs allowed against the White Sox. In that game, however, he had periods where he still appeared to be the dominant pitcher he had become, with issues primarily related to the command of his secondary pitches rather than his fastball.
Uncertainty Moving Forward
Following Friday's performance, Sasaki offered a self-evaluation attributing his difficulties to unspecified lower-body issues. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence that Sasaki would not revert to his early-season struggles, stating, "I do think that we unlocked something." However, the pitcher himself acknowledged the challenge of consistently replicating his delivery, noting, "It’s a matter of whether I can replicate that. That’s what everyone battles every time."
Sasaki is scheduled to pitch again against the Padres on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. The performance will be closely watched to determine if Friday's outing was an isolated incident or an indication that his recent surge in form was only a temporary phenomenon.