Roki Sasaki Saves Game 1, Becomes Dodgers’ Latest Postseason Weapon

The Los Angeles Dodgers walked into the National League Division Series with a huge question mark hanging over their bullpen. That weakness got exposed over and over during the regular season, especially by the Philadelphia Phillies in September.

But in Game 1 of the NLDS, something unexpected happened. Rookie flamethrower Roki Sasaki, armed with a triple-digit fastball and a nasty splitter, shut down the ninth inning and locked up the win.

Suddenly, the Dodgers’ late-inning worries didn’t seem so fatal. Sasaki’s breakout gave the bullpen a jolt of life just when fans started to lose hope.

Dodgers’ Bullpen Was Under Heavy Scrutiny

For most of 2024, the Dodgers’ bullpen looked shaky. They struggled to hold leads late, and the Phillies took full advantage in September—scoring 14 of 15 runs against LA relievers in a crucial series.

Heading into the NLDS, people expected Philadelphia’s patient hitters to pounce on the Dodgers’ relief corps again. The narrative felt almost set in stone.

Roki Sasaki’s Impact Was Immediate

Then 23-year-old rookie Roki Sasaki flipped the script in Game 1. He started the season in the rotation but missed months with a shoulder injury.

When Sasaki returned in late September, the Dodgers shifted him to the bullpen. That move already looks like a stroke of genius.

Armed with a 101 mph fastball and a splitter that vanishes at the plate, Sasaki seems built for high-pressure situations. In his postseason debut, he faced the middle of the Phillies’ order and didn’t blink.

On just 11 pitches, Sasaki picked up his first career save. He froze J.T. Realmuto on strikes, shutting down an offense eager to challenge him.

Realmuto later admitted Sasaki’s rare velocity and splitter movement made him one of the toughest arms he’s faced this season. You could almost hear the respect in his voice.

The Arsenal That’s Turning Heads

Sasaki isn’t just about the heat. Phillies manager Rob Thomson even hinted Sasaki might add a cutter to his arsenal—a pitch that could mess with hitters’ timing even more.

For now, his power and deception are flipping the narrative on a bullpen that looked pretty vulnerable just weeks ago.

Other Key Relief Options

Sasaki’s rise is just one part of Dave Roberts’ postseason bullpen plan. Alongside him, the Dodgers are rolling out starter-turned-reliever Tyler Glasnow, who gave them two critical innings in Game 1.

Veteran ace Clayton Kershaw is also available out of the pen. He brings playoff experience and a steady hand.

Dodgers’ late-inning weapons now include:

• Roki Sasaki – 101 mph heater, devastating splitter, emerging closer role
• Tyler Glasnow – Multi-inning relief option with starting experience
• Clayton Kershaw – Veteran leadership and versatility in high-pressure spots

The Phillies Aren’t Backing Down

Even with the Dodgers’ upgrades, Philadelphia isn’t rattled. The Phillies have shown they can score late, especially against LA, and they don’t lack confidence.

Their lineup is full of tough, seasoned hitters who seem to thrive when the pressure’s on. They’re not taking any Dodgers reliever lightly.

The Psychological Shift in LA

Still, Sasaki’s Game 1 heroics seem to have changed the mood in the Dodgers’ clubhouse. That old late-inning anxiety? It’s starting to fade.

If Sasaki keeps this up, the Dodgers might finally feel like they’ve got one of the game’s nastiest closers waiting for the ninth. That’s got to feel good, right?

Looking Ahead in the Series

The NLDS is still wide open. The Dodgers’ bullpen story just flipped on its head.

Will Sasaki keep this wild run going? Or can the Phillies figure him out and flip the script?

Right now, Los Angeles finally has something they missed earlier—a rookie reliever who just shoves when it counts.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki earns the save against the Phillies in Game 1 and emerges as another weapon