Roki Sasaki Emerges as Dodgers’ Primary Closer
Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki could be on track to be the Los Angeles Dodgers’ primary closer, according to manager Dave Roberts. Although it has not been officially declared, his recent performance profiles him as the preferred option for the ninth inning. Roberts stated that Sasaki is “definitely the primary option now” to close games, but his usage will depend on the pitcher’s workload. “We have to win a certain number of games to secure the championship, and he’s not going to close every game,” Roberts explained from Dodger Stadium. In the second game of the National League Division Series, Roberts tried to use Blake Treinen in the ninth inning, but Treinen allowed the first three batters to get on base, reducing the Philadelphia Phillies’ lead to one run. Afterwards, Alex Vesia faced three batters, retiring two, and Sasaki came in to record the last out. Sasaki has proven his worth in the bullpen, accumulating his fifth relief appearance since joining in September. The Dodgers hoped to strengthen their bullpen with starters like Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow. However, other relievers like Treinen, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and Michael Kopech have had ups and downs, although Roberts will have to rely on them at some point.Meanwhile, the Phillies, after two consecutive losses, will look to keep their hopes alive in Game 3, with veteran right-hander Aaron Nola on the mound. Nola had a difficult year in 2025, with a 5-10 record and a 6.01 ERA, but manager Rob Thomson will deploy left-handed starter Ranger Suarez behind Nola, with Cristopher Sanchez resting for a possible Game 4. Thomson chose Nola for his good performance at the end of the regular season and because he feels more comfortable as a starter. Although a lefty is usually better against the top of the Dodgers’ lineup, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman have had a combined OPS of 1.056 against Suarez.“If there was a world where you could use five starters and finish a postseason and win it, I think a lot of people would sign up for that,” Roberts said. “But that’s impossible. So you have to use your roster at certain times and choose the places where you feel best and live with any result. But that’s how you win, for us, 13 games in October.”
Dave Roberts
In addition, center fielder Harrison Bader, who suffered a hamstring strain in Game 1, will be a “game-time decision” for Game 3. Bader entered as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of Game 2. Dodgers catcher Will Smith, with a hairline fracture in his right hand, hasn’t started in the four playoff games, but has caught the final innings in the first two games of the series. Roberts said that “there is hope” that Smith can catch the whole game. “I will make the decision tomorrow,” Roberts said. “Every day, he has been improving, so I feel more confident that he will be able to start.”“I trust both of them, don’t get me wrong,” Thomson said. “But Nola has pitched in some really important games for us in recent years.”
Rob Thomson
