The Los Angeles Dodgers, aiming for a third consecutive World Series title, are racing ahead in the National League West. However, Roki Sasaki, the 24-year-old pitcher who has been a fixture in the starting rotation since opening day, continues to face difficulties. On May 7 (local time), during a rare full day off, he sat down for an interview.
Sasaki has made six starts this season, pitching a total of 28 innings with a 1-3 record and a 5.97 ERA (as of May 11). © Bungeishunju.
**— On May 2, you made your sixth start of the season against the Cardinals. You pitched a season-high six innings, threw 104 pitches, and allowed three runs, keeping the game close, but you ended up with a 2-3 loss as the pitcher of record.**
“Honestly, my pitching performance was the worst of the season. I had some luck, which helped me get through six innings, but…”
**— In the third inning, when the heart of their lineup came around for the second time, you gave up consecutive hits, and then Walker, their hot-hitting cleanup hitter, hit a home run, accounting for three runs.**
“That day, I felt great in the bullpen, but once I got into the game, things felt off… When I tried to throw hard, the ball didn’t go where I wanted it to once my fingers released it.”
**— Manager Roberts also mentioned that your velocity was a bit lacking. Your fastest pitch was 98 mph (158 km/h).**
“Yes. In the second inning, I hit a batter, walked a guy, and had pitches that slipped away. After that, when I started adjusting on the fly, my velocity dropped.”
**— The home run by Walker came on a 84 mph (135 km/h) splitter.**
“I don’t think it was an incredibly hittable pitch… But I regret more the two batters before him. I fell behind, threw meatballs trying to get ahead in the count, and they got hits. That forced me to make mistakes. I put myself in bad counts, and when I tried to throw strikes, they punished me. That kind of pitching won’t work in this league. They also read my pitch selection, knowing I would go with a fastball.”
**— Your previous start against the Cubs, though you allowed four runs, was much better and earned you your first win.**
“That felt like my best outing of the season. The difference from the Cardinals game… I think it comes down to subtle mechanical issues. I need to replicate my good mechanics every start, but I haven’t been able to. Sometimes I lose tension when I shouldn’t, and the ball doesn’t carry properly, hurting my control. Right now, all I can do is practice so I can focus entirely on the batter without thinking about my mechanics.”
**— Also, in that Cubs start, you introduced a faster splitter as a new weapon.**
In the remainder of the interview, Sasaki discussed his thoughts on possibly being removed from the starting rotation, shared behind-the-scenes stories about reuniting with a former teammate from his Lotte days at a late-April ceremonial first pitch, and revealed what currently provides him with mental support. The full article can be found in the digital edition of *Weekly Bunshun*.