Roki Sasaki’s 101-mph Fastball Closes Out Reds, Dodgers Win NLDS

The Los Angeles Dodgers took another decisive step in their postseason journey. They sealed an 8-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, completing a two-game Wild Card Series sweep at Dodger Stadium.

The win mattered, but rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki’s performance in the ninth inning really stole the show. After a tense eighth, Sasaki’s dominant three-batter shutdown electrified the crowd and hinted he might be a late-inning weapon in October baseball.

Dodgers Complete Wild Card Sweep

The Dodgers’ offense brought enough firepower to secure the win. Still, the game’s narrative shifted in the late innings.

The Reds started threatening in the eighth. Dodger Stadium’s atmosphere grew tense, but Sasaki brought the stability the home team needed.

Sasaki’s Ninth-Inning Brilliance

In just his fifth professional relief outing, Sasaki looked poised beyond his years. He hit a season-high 101.4 mph on the radar gun, struck out two of the Reds’ most dangerous hitters, and got a harmless groundout to finish the game.

That flawless 1-2-3 ninth was the kind of bullpen performance the Dodgers had been searching for. Teammates like Max Muncy couldn’t hide their admiration.

Muncy called Sasaki’s appearance “exactly what the team needed,” and it’s hard to argue with that. The rookie might have found his calling in high-leverage moments.

From Rocky Start to Rising Star

Sasaki’s path to this moment hasn’t been easy. His debut at Dodger Stadium in March lasted less than two innings and exposed some real vulnerabilities.

Not long after, a shoulder impingement sent him to the injured list for four months. That kind of injury could have easily derailed his rookie season.

Adjustments Pay Off

During rehab, Sasaki refined his delivery and worked on his strength. Most importantly, he added velocity to his fastball.

These changes transformed how he approached hitters. He started out as a starter, posting a 4.72 ERA over eight starts, but soon began to embrace the bullpen role with growing confidence.

Addressing the Dodgers’ Bullpen Concerns

The bullpen has made Dodgers fans nervous all season. Late-inning collapses in high-leverage spots left plenty of questions about who could be trusted when it mattered.

Sasaki’s emergence really couldn’t have come at a better time. Manager Dave Roberts and team president Andrew Friedman have both noticed the rookie’s potential.

There’s even talk that Sasaki could end up closing games as the postseason unfolds. That’s a big leap, but not out of the question.

Why Sasaki Could Be the Dodgers’ Secret Weapon

How many teams can call on a young arm capable of hitting triple digits under playoff pressure? Sasaki’s raw stuff, mental toughness, and new command put him in a unique spot to change the Dodgers’ bullpen storyline.

• Triple-Digit Heat: He’s consistently flirting with 100 mph and even peaked at 101.4 mph. That kind of velocity intimidates hitters before they even dig in.
• Expanded Role: Moving from starter to reliever has sharpened his focus and made his pitch sequences more aggressive.
• Mental Edge: His confidence in the postseason is a world away from his early season struggles.

Looking Ahead in the Dodgers’ Playoff Run

If Sasaki keeps thriving, he could become the Dodgers’ go-to guy in the ninth inning. Baseball’s unpredictable—sometimes a player’s job changes overnight, and postseason legends get made in flashes like this.

For Los Angeles, the Wild Card Series wasn’t just a win. It felt like they found a potential game-changer.

Fans probably won’t forget the sight of Sasaki throwing a 101 mph fastball past a stunned Reds hitter. That’s the kind of moment people remember when the Dodgers start looking like a team built for October glory.

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