Roki Sasaki, Clayton Kershaw Pitch: Dodgers Win 11-Inning Game
- What: The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing meaningful struggles wiht their bullpen, evidenced by a league-worst 13 blown saves since the All-Star break.
- This game was part of a series against the arizona Diamondbacks.
- Why It Matters: * Playoff Implications: The Dodgers are attempting to clinch the NL West title.
Dodgers Bullpen Struggles & Unexpected Relief Options: A Fact Sheet
What: The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing meaningful struggles wiht their bullpen, evidenced by a league-worst 13 blown saves since the All-Star break. manager Dave Roberts is resorting to unconventional relief pitching – specifically, utilizing starting pitchers – to navigate games.
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona. This game was part of a series against the arizona Diamondbacks.
When: Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The Dodgers won 5-4 in 11 innings.
Why It Matters:
* Playoff Implications: The Dodgers are attempting to clinch the NL West title. Their bullpen issues pose a serious threat to their postseason success.
* Roster Adaptability: The team is exploring alternative bullpen options, perhaps relying on starting pitchers like Roki Sasaki and Clayton Kershaw in relief roles during the playoffs.
* Sasaki’s Return & Progress: Roki Sasaki is returning from a shoulder injury and is being tested in a new role, showing increased velocity in relief.
key Facts & Data:
* dodgers Magic Number: 1 (to clinch NL West)
* Dodgers Record vs. Padres: Lead by 2.5 games, with the head-to-head tiebreaker.
* Blown Saves (Post All-Star Break): 13 (MLB worst)
* Wednesday’s Relievers (Dodgers): 7 total, including Roki Sasaki and Clayton Kershaw.
* Roki Sasaki:
* Age: 23
* Injury: Recovered from right shoulder impingement (missed 4 months).
* Relief Experience: Limited – two rehab appearances in Triple-A Oklahoma City before Wednesday.
* Velocity Increase: Significant velocity increase in relief appearance.
* Four-Seam Fastball Velocity: Six of seven pitches were 99 mph or higher, topping out at 99.8 mph.
* Pre-Injury Velocity: Hit 99 mph only eight times in eight starts before injury.
* Other Relievers Involved: Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer, Blake Treinen, Justin Wrobleski.
* Winning RBI: Tommy Edman (RBI single in the 11th inning).
Table: Dodgers Relief Pitcher Performance (Recent Struggles)
| Pitcher | Saves Blown (Post All-Star) | Key Moments in Recent Games |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Vesia | 3 | Gave up 3 runs in the 8th inning on Wednesday |
| Edgardo Henriquez | 2 | contributed to the 8th inning rally by the D-backs on Wednesday |
| Other Relievers | Combined 8 | Various struggles in high-leverage situations |
What’s Next:
* Thursday’s Game: The Dodgers can clinch the NL West with a win in the series finale against the D-backs.
* Bullpen Evaluation: Roberts and the coaching staff will continue to evaluate the performance of relievers, including Sasaki and Kershaw, in potential relief roles.
* Postseason Roster Decisions: The Dodgers will need to finalize their postseason roster, making critical decisions about which relievers to include and how to utilize them.
* Potential Roster Moves: The Dodgers may consider adding bullpen reinforcements before the postseason, either through trades or by promoting players from the minor leagues.
8) FINAL SELF-CHECK (HARD STOP)
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