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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki has an opportunity to bounce back in his third start of the season Sunday.
Sasaki will face the Texas Rangers in the series finale, and is looking to secure a sweep for the Dodgers after they won their third series in a row with a win on Saturday. The right-hander has had some struggles to start the season, posting a 7.00 ERA through two starts.
He only allowed one run in his first start of the season, striking out four batters through four innings, though received a loss against the Cleveland Guardians on March 30. He came back out against the Washington Nationals a week ago and had a much worse outing, allowing six runs through five innings on five hits and three walks.
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Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) is taken out from the game by manager Dave Roberts (right) during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What Has Gone Wrong for Roki Sasaki in 2026?
Sasaki has looked vastly different from the dominant entity Dodgers fans got used to seeing out of the bullpen at the tail end in 2025, and one of the reasons for that is his control. The right-hander has issued five walks in nine innings, and both of the home runs he’s allowed this season have come on flat, easy-to-hit pitches—one of which was his forkball.
“It’s just inconsistent,” Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing said of Sasaki’s go-to breaking ball. “It’s a pitch that if you can’t strike it, it starts to give the opposing team the opportunity to just lay off of it every time you throw it. Maybe there’s a couple technique things we can figure out in his delivery to strike it a little more, or maybe it’s just a mindset (that) you don’t have to throw your best splitter every pitch.”
Rushing continued to speak about the outing, and commented on the biggest piece of Nationals offense in the game—a three-run homer from James Wood in an 0-2 count.
“I wanted it in the dirt,” he said of Sasaki’s forkball, which hung over the middle of the plate. “He could have bounced it in the grass, I don’t care. Look, it’s part of pitching. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to lose a couple, but at the same time, it’s a maturity thing and hopefully he learns from it. You usually try to take advantage of 0-2 counts, especially with a guy that’s been struggling with plate discipline.”
What Does Sasaki Have to do to Success Sunday?
Despite the Dodgers’ two wins in the series, the Rangers have given them a run for their money during both games. Most of their offense, though, has come from the long ball. The Rangers have scored nine of their 10 runs via the home run this series, and they’re sure to look for mistakes to capitalize on in the final game of the series to salvage something from the set.
Sasaki has the ability to miss bats, as we saw during the postseason, and will have to hone in on those talents to find success in his third start of the year.
Sasaki will take the mound for first pitch at 1:10 p.m. PT.
How do you think Roki Sasaki will perform today?
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