Roki Sasaki Named Dodgers’ Primary Closer Option for Save Situations

The Los Angeles Dodgers are making a bold move as the postseason heats up. Rookie sensation Roki Sasaki is stepping in as their main option in save situations.

Manager Dave Roberts won’t call him the official “closer,” but the 22-year-old right-hander has become the team’s go-to weapon when everything’s on the line. With the bullpen looking shaky, Sasaki’s calm presence and electric stuff might be the difference in October.

Roki Sasaki Steps Into the Pressure Cooker

Postseason baseball is brutal, especially for a rookie, but Sasaki seems to thrive under the bright lights. Roberts said the team has to “manage his workload carefully”—a nod to just how intense these playoff innings can get.

That careful approach got tested during Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies. Roberts wanted Sasaki to rest, but things went sideways in the ninth inning.

From Rest to Rescue in Game 2

Veteran reliever Blake Treinen gave up three straight hits, and suddenly L.A.’s lead was down to one. The crowd got tense.

Lefty Alex Vesia briefly steadied things, but with two outs and Trea Turner at bat, Roberts made the call: Sasaki was coming in. For his first-ever mid-inning MLB appearance, Sasaki got Turner to ground out, sealing a 4–3 win.

It wasn’t the typical closer’s script, but it was exactly the kind of high-impact moment the Dodgers had in mind for him.

The Rookie’s Rapid Rise

Sasaki’s journey from newcomer to high-leverage reliever has been meteoric. In just four postseason games, he’s already finished three—including the clincher in the Wild Card Series against Cincinnati and Game 1 of the NLDS, where he picked up his first MLB save.

Trust Earned Through Performance

Making Sasaki the primary save option wasn’t some snap decision. The Dodgers’ bullpen had been struggling, with late-season woes from both Treinen and former closer Tanner Scott.

Sasaki’s command and ability to mix pitches under playoff pressure have given Roberts a real alternative in crunch time.

Dodgers Bullpen in Flux

Having a dependable finisher is huge, but the bullpen picture is still unsettled. Roberts has gotten creative, using converted starters like Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan in relief.

He’s even brought in Tyler Glasnow out of the bullpen, just to keep the rotation flexible for a possible Game 4 start. It’s a juggling act, honestly.

Balancing Rest and Results

Managing a young pitcher’s workload in October is always dicey. Sasaki’s role as “primary option” instead of outright “closer” shows Roberts wants to protect one of his most valuable arms, but he’s still willing to lean on his talent when it matters.

Why Sasaki’s Role Matters

Postseason games often come down to the final three outs. The Dodgers’ recent saves have shown Sasaki’s composure and his knack for shutting down elite hitters when the pressure’s off the charts.

What Lies Ahead for the Dodgers

As the NLDS rolls on, the Dodgers’ pitching plan isn’t set in stone. Roberts will probably keep leaning on matchups and in-game moments when picking between Treinen, Vesia, and Sasaki.

But honestly, it’s obvious—the rookie’s become the arm they trust most in crunch time. Fans can expect:

• Strategic use of Sasaki to avoid burning him out
• More experiments with mixing starters and relievers
• Roberts shuffling his choices based on the opponents’ lineup

If Sasaki keeps handling the pressure, he might just take over as the Dodgers’ closer before October wraps up. That rise, right in the middle of bullpen chaos, could end up as the story everyone remembers from L.A.’s playoff run.

Right now, Roberts is playing it safe, and honestly, that’s probably smart. But when everything’s on the line, you know who they’ll call. It’s not really a secret anymore.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Roki Sasaki Will Be “Primary Option” As Dodgers’ Closer