On April 26, 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki earned his first win of the season in a start against the Chicago Cubs, pitching six innings despite allowing four runs. The performance, which came after a slow start to his 2026 campaign, was described by Sasaki himself as his “best outing of the season” thus far, according to post-game remarks reported by Japanese media outlets.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Sasaki’s effort following the victory, highlighting the young pitcher’s resilience and command after a challenging outing. The win marked a turning point in Sasaki’s season, as he had struggled with consistency in his earlier starts, including a debut appearance where he allowed multiple runs over fewer innings.
According to verified reports from NHK News and Kyodo News, Sasaki pitched six innings, gave up four runs (three earned), recorded five strikeouts, and walked two batters. He threw 92 pitches, with his fastball reaching a peak velocity of 100.1 mph (161 km/h). Despite the run support, the Dodgers’ offense came through in the later innings, scoring enough to secure a 5-4 victory and hand Sasaki his first win of the year.
The performance was notable not only for the result but for Sasaki’s mental approach. After leaving the mound, he was seen conversing with teammate Shohei Ohtani on the bench, discussing what went well and areas for improvement—a moment highlighted in coverage by Nikkan Sports. This interaction underscored the growing camaraderie within the Dodgers’ Japanese player contingent, which also includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Sasaki, who turned 24 in November 2025, is in his first full season with the Dodgers after posting to MLB from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. His transition has been closely watched, particularly given his reputation for high velocity and sharp breaking balls developed during his time with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Manager Roberts has emphasized patience with Sasaki’s development, noting that the pitcher is still adjusting to the rigors of a full MLB season, including longer rest intervals between starts and the demands of facing elite lineups multiple times. Roberts pointed to Sasaki’s ability to maintain composure after allowing runs as a sign of maturity, especially in high-leverage situations.
The Cubs lineup that Sasaki faced included several powerful hitters, among them Seiya Suzuki, who had already recorded multiple home runs early in the 2026 season. Despite giving up hard contact, Sasaki managed to limit damage through precise pitch sequencing and induced weak contact in key moments.
Defensively, the Dodgers received support from infielders Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who made key plays to prevent additional runs. Betts, in particular, was credited with a diving stop in the fifth inning that kept the inning from extending further.
Following the game, Sasaki expressed gratitude for his teammates’ support, stating that knowing the offense would fight back helped him stay focused. He also acknowledged the importance of learning from each outing, regardless of the result, as he continues to adapt to life in the major leagues.
Looking ahead, Sasaki is expected to remain in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, with his next start scheduled for early May, pending standard rest and evaluation. The team will continue to monitor his workload and effectiveness as he seeks to build on this performance.
For updates on Roki Sasaki’s progress and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2026 season, fans can follow official announcements from MLB.com and the Dodgers’ website.
Share your thoughts on Sasaki’s development and what you’d like to see from him in upcoming starts. Join the conversation in the comments below.