The Dodgers are pacing their way towards the Midsummer Classic, having been in cruise control since the beginning of June.
After dropping a game to the Rockies on Tuesday, largely due to 2 errors in the same inning, Los Angeles did what they do best and took the next game and series.
They hold a 14-game NL West lead over the sputtering Diamondbacks and Padres, so a loss here and there is not fazing them during this long middle portion of the season.
“I think we are really good at flushing it and focusing on the day at hand. In a long season, there will be emotional wins and tough losses. Resiliency is important. Guys are laughing and having a good time. In baseball, you can’t let the previous day’s game carry over after a tough loss,” said manager Dave Roberts.
What the Dodgers do not want to lose is a series. Their regular-season motto during this historic run has been to win each series, which they have done a lot of over the past 2 and a half years. This is the mentality that has led to 7 straight playoff series wins and 2 World Series trophies.
Mookie Betts broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single on Wednesday, leading to the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over Colorado, as their record climbed to 61-33.
At this point, the goal is to build towards October, and Roberts’ job is to maximize his team’s potential until then.
On the mound for the Dodgers was one of the biggest question marks for the remainder of the regular season, and someone who could play a number of different roles come crunch time.
Roki Sasaki has been the definition of hot and then cold this season.
“The stuff has been good, but the fastball command could be better, and getting ahead of guys is going to be helpful. It is now about execution, going out, and competing. The mechanics part of it is all done. Now is just about competition,” said Roberts of Sasaki’s performance up to this point.
After his first 5 starts, he had a 6.35 ERA and struggled consistently to pitch deep into games.
In May, things started to click for the talented young player. He ripped off 6 consecutive starts of at least 5 innings pitched, giving up 3 or fewer runs, capped by 7 shutout innings and 10 strikeouts against the Angels. Sasaki saw his ERA drop to 4.03 and appeared to have fully worked out the early struggles.
Following his 2-hit masterpiece against Anehiem, Sasaki hopped back on the struggle bus. He gave up 7 runs to the White Sox, 3 to the Orioles, and 9 over back-to-back starts against the Padres.
Entering the game against the Rockies, his ERA had ballooned back up to 5.40, which is not going to cut it as a starter later in the year for a team looking to three-peat.
“He has to bounce back and have a good one,” said Roberts before the game.
Sasaki cruised through the first inning, needing only 6 pitches to get out of the opening frame.
He then gave up 2 solo home runs in the second inning and allowed another run to score in the third.
The fourth inning is where things could have turned ugly. A leadoff single was followed by a misjudged ball at third base by Max Muncy, turning into runners at second and third with no outs.
Sasaki struck out the next 2 batters, holding the runners, before inducing a flyout to exit the inning unscathed. From there, he got the next 6 batters he faced out, and ended his night with a solid line of 3 runs in 6 innings.
Striking out 2 with runners in scoring position is the type of stuff Sasaki was doing when he came into the game last year as a reliever in the postseason. It was evident that he had the confidence to do it while in that role. He just does not consistently show the same level of confidence or conviction in his pitches when he is required to be out there for long stretches.
Sasaki has also been said to tip pitches at times this season, meaning he is giving batters a tell as to which pitch he is throwing during or before his delivery.
“There are actually a couple of things, and we are trying to clean that up,” said Roberts when asked about this. “The truth is, there are cameras everywhere, and everyone is trying to look for an advantage, so you have to keep your closet clean. He is working on that.”
“Even in Japan, he was doing some tendencies, and that is what guys look for; patterns and tendencies with the delivery or glove, our guys do it, everyone does it.” Roberts continued.
Sasaki is still learning. He is learning how to be a big leaguer in a new country. How not to tip pitches, control his emotions in big moments, and all of the ins and outs of facing the best competition in the world. It is not an easy job, but he has the stuff to do.
Now it is just a matter of stringing together another run of consistency, as he proved he is capable of in May and last October.
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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