Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki Handles the Pressure in 1st Start of 2026 Season
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki gave up only one run in his first start of the 2026 season. Sasaki, who had an uneven spring training , allowed one run in four innings of work. He allowed four hits, including a single when facing one last batter in the top of the fifth inning, and struck out four while walking two batters.
Reliever Tanner Scott, however, didn’t allow that runner to make it home. Of Sasaki’s 78 pitches, 45 were strikes, including nine whiffs. That total figure was a little below the 90-pitch limit imposed by manager Dave Roberts .
The Dodgers, however, provided no run support, and Sasaki left the game with his squad down 1-0. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation) How Has Roki Sasaki Been Playing in 2026? Sasaki’s performance was a big step up from his outings in spring training.
He pitched 8. 2 innings in the preseason, allowing 15 earned runs and walking 15 batters throughout his appearances. His ERA was an atrocious 15.
58 in the preseason , though Monday’s performance resulted in a much improved ERA of 2. 25. That’s a lot closer to Sasaki’s dominant fall 2025.