Roki Sasaki's recent performances suggest he is emerging as a reliable option for the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting rotation, a development that could decrease the team's urgency to acquire Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Sasaki, who has shown improvement not only in his pitching but also in his overall demeanor, held the New York teams to a single earned run over a combined 12 2/3 innings in his two most recent starts.
This improved form reinforces the idea that the Dodgers do not necessarily have to trade for Skubal. While acquiring Skubal remains a possibility, especially if the trade market falters and the Tigers make him available at a low cost, Sasaki's rise provides a valuable internal solution. The Dodgers are anticipating the return of Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow to their rotation by the postseason, alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In this context, Sasaki and fellow pitcher Justin Wrobleski offer crucial depth, acting as insurance policies should any of the established starters become unavailable.
Sasaki, who has been working on his control issues, demonstrated his progress in the Dodgers' 4-2 victory over the Mets on Friday night. He pitched seven innings, allowing only three hits and two walks, with his lone earned run coming from a high fastball. Manager Dave Roberts noted the effectiveness of Sasaki's splitter, calling it "unhittable" from the fourth through seventh innings. Sasaki averaged 98.6 mph with his fastball but utilized it less frequently, relying more on his slider and splitter. He generated 21 swings-and-misses, his highest total in the major leagues, and threw just 94 pitches.
"My splitter has been good lately, and it’s one of the reasons I’m able to throw comfortably throughout the game," Sasaki said. "Of course, there are days in which the pitches feel different coming off my fingertips. But fundamentally, if my delivery is right, I think the forkball becomes easier to throw."
Justin Wrobleski, a 26-year-old left-hander, has also impressed with an 11-2 record and a 2.62 ERA. Wrobleski has addressed concerns about his ability to miss bats, striking out 27 batters in 20 1/3 innings over his last three starts. The Dodgers view both Sasaki and Wrobleski as providing adequate coverage, potentially negating the need to trade prized prospects for Skubal.