The Los Angeles Dodgers powered their way past the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card round. Still, the series exposed a glaring weakness in their bullpen.
Veteran relievers crumbled under postseason pressure. Yet one rookie’s electric performance has given the team—and its fans—renewed hope heading into the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.
That rookie is Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-hander. His sudden rise from injury-plagued starter to potential late-inning weapon could reshape the Dodgers’ postseason plans.
Dodgers’ Bullpen Woes in the Wild Card Sweep
The Dodgers’ pitching depth looked like a strength during the regular season. In October, though, things unraveled fast.
Game 1 against Cincinnati started well. Blake Snell was brilliant, carving through the Reds’ lineup over seven scoreless innings.
But then the bullpen lost control. Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez, and Jack Dreyer combined to throw a whopping 59 pitches in the eighth inning, giving Cincinnati new life before the Dodgers finally pulled away.
Game 2 Brings More Trouble
Unfortunately, the bullpen nightmares didn’t stop there. In Game 2, starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered another strong performance, keeping the Reds’ offense in check.
Emmet Sheehan and Alex Vesia faltered again, conceding multiple walks and runs that let Cincinnati threaten late. It looked like another collapse was brewing—until Roki Sasaki stepped onto the mound.
Roki Sasaki’s Breakthrough Moment
Sasaki delivered exactly what the Dodgers needed: dominance, control, and composure. In the ninth inning of Game 2, the rookie registered a flawless 1-2-3 frame, striking out two batters with a fastball that touched 100 mph.
He shut the door, sealing the sweep and showing flashes of the pitcher scouts once predicted could be an MLB star. That moment felt like a turning point.
From Struggles to Success
A few months ago, Sasaki’s rookie season looked like a disappointment in the making. As a starter, he battled diminished velocity, erratic command, and shoulder issues that led to a 4.72 ERA before a lengthy stint on the injured list.
When he returned, the Dodgers shifted him into the bullpen. That move changed everything.
His fastball regained life, and his trademark splitter became a devastating out pitch against both left- and right-handed hitters. You could see the confidence coming back.
Why Sasaki Could Be the Dodgers’ X-Factor
Since moving to relief work, Sasaki has made just three appearances. Each one has been impressive enough to spark speculation about his postseason role.
Observers and fans are already asking whether he could be the Dodgers’ closer for October. Manager Dave Roberts hasn’t officially committed to that decision, but he’s made one thing clear: he trusts Sasaki in big moments.
Veterans’ Struggles Highlight Sasaki’s Value
The Dodgers invested heavily in experienced bullpen arms like Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates to fortify their relief corps. Those investments haven’t really paid off.
The unit as a whole has become a liability. Sasaki’s emergence stands out not just because of his talent, but because he’s brought much-needed stability to an otherwise shaky group.
Looking Ahead to the NLDS Against the Phillies
The Dodgers are gearing up to face the Philadelphia Phillies, and let’s be honest—the room for mistakes is almost gone. The Phillies lineup is stacked with hitters who know how to deliver in October.
For Los Angeles to make a real run, their bullpen has to step up. Sasaki might just be the spark they need.
- Velocity: Sasaki fires fastballs in the upper 90s and has even hit 100 mph.
- Command: Since moving to relief, he’s really tightened up his control.
- Secondary Pitch: His splitter? It’s nasty—batters can’t seem to lay off.
- Mental Toughness: He’s already shown he can handle big moments under pressure.
Roberts seems ready to trust Sasaki in some of the toughest spots. Watching how the rookie handles those NLDS innings could get interesting fast.
Should the Dodgers take a chance and let Sasaki close games? October’s chaos might just give us that answer.
Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs 2025: The Dodgers’ bullpen was exactly as bad as feared, but Roki Sasaki looked like the answer
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