Dodgers’ pitching staff could be historic

Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline) – The Los Angeles Dodgers completed the sweep against the Detroit Tigers the day after receiving their World Series rings, remaining undefeated dating back to last October.

“It was a special day yesterday, especially seeing veteran guys who have been around for a long time experience that too, and how much history there is with this ball club, and then to get a sweep was pretty awesome,” said Ben Casparius, who pitched a scoreless fourth inning.

Freddie Freeman got the Dodgers on the board with a two-run homer in the first. Will Smith and Tommy Edman added solo shots in the sixth and seventh as the Dodgers went on to score seven runs in a 7-3 victory. Los Angeles was second in runs scored in 2024, and you can pencil them in to finish at least top-five again in 2025.

Roki Sasaki struggled in his first career start at Dodger Stadium, failing to get through the second inning before being pulled by manager Dave Roberts. He gave up three hits and walked four batters, exiting after throwing 61 pitches, 29 of which were balls.

“Roki, throughout his entire career, has been a command guy. He doesn’t walk guys. He has filled up the strike zone, so I think there are some new surroundings he wants to impress and pitch well. He is going out there and competing, and right now, it is just not sinking up,” said Roberts.

The Japanese phenom was one of the offseason’s biggest prizes, but he has not lived up to expectations through two starts.

It will take some time for Sasaki to get going. The ball in the KBO is slightly different from the ball in MLB, and he is two years younger than when Yoshinobu Yamamoto came to the United States last year. Sasaki needs time to adjust to life in a new country and pitching at the highest level.

“We believe that this is a process. He is a young player,” said Roberts. “I am not going to overthink it. I am just going to continue to support him and make sure he is ready to go his next start.”

Sasaki has the stuff to be special; he is just struggling to locate.

Yamamoto struggled at the start of his first season with the Dodgers, giving up five runs in one inning during his Major League debut. Through five appearances, he was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Yamamoto settled in and was 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA the rest of the way.

Blake Snell and Yamamoto have done their thing, only giving up five runs across 15 innings of work between the two, and the Dodgers are 5-0 before Tyler Glasnow has even taken the mound. The 2024 All-Star, Glasnow, will get the start on Monday against the Braves.

Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Bobby Miller should get their fair share of starts at some point, but Sasaki remains the wild card for now. He has to play his part for this team to be remembered as one with a historic pitching staff, something this group should have its eyes set on.

At least one of the other previously mentioned names will emerge as another front-line caliber starter, with Ohtani being the most likely candidate. For those who did not follow his career in Anaheim, Ohtani’s upside on the mound is higher than any other pitcher on the roster. There is no way of knowing when, but he will pitch at some point this season.

“It is going to be a while. You start with the natural progression of a bullpen. You have to then mix in different pitches and face hitters again, so it is a start. I don’t have a timeline, but we are a ways away,” said Roberts.

On Saturday, Ohtani threw his first bullpen session since early on during Spring Training.

“We still want him to pitch, he wants to pitch, and I think that he can handle it. The question is, how much do we need him right now, and we have answered that. His health is most important, and whenever that time is when his build-up has reached its full maturation, he will pitch,” said Roberts.

Once Sasaki finds the zone and Ohtani makes his much-anticipated return to the mound, talent-wise, the rotations could feature five All-Star level pitchers. Attach that to this lineup, we might get something the league has never seen. No one has led the league in ERA and runs scored since the 1936 Yankees.

Featured Image: LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch during the MLB game between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 29, 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)