As the Los Angeles Dodgers begin the season with these two games in Japan, nothing is set in stone, and every player is aware that they are too early to make any kind of analysis or decisions. Among them is Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who appears a little anxious these days after being selected to start the second game in the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs.
Sasaki will be able to demonstrate what the Dodgers had their eye on and compete against a number of other teams to secure his services. Sasaki just joined Major League Baseball, a move that was greatly anticipated by everyone of professional baseball in the United States.
Dodgers chowing down on a massive tuna! Shohei Ohtani and a Dodgers teammate enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine.
Sasaki wishes to expand his repertoire by learning another pitch.
Since he is still adjusting his repertoire and is too young to make firm conclusions, there is little certainty on the young Japanese pitcher’s pitching condition, even if he will start versus Chicago. Furthermore, he has not yet faced an MLB squad, so there are great expectations, which naturally has a significant impact on him. But how else should he be polished if this isn’t the way?
In a recent interview with Dodgers Nation, Sasaki acknowledged all of his uncertainties while simultaneously expressing his belief that the problem might be resolved: “I am aware that I will require an additional pitch, be it a slider or something else entirely. It’s a third pitch, of course, in addition to my splitter and fastball. I will focus on improving myself regardless of the outcome, and I believe that if I can play my own style, the results will follow. And I believe I’ll need to continue,” Sasaki remarked.
Roki Sasaki thinks that miracles happen.
I can’t believe my dream has come true at the Tokyo Dome; it’s like a miracle, says Sasaki, who is equally happy about being in the spotlight with the World Series-winning team and in front of his local supporters for his MLB debut.
