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Roki Sasaki worked through early trouble and locked in to deliver a strong outing against the Mets, leading the Dodgers to a victory, per Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register. After allowing some traffic on the bases early, Sasaki found his rhythm and shut down New York’s lineup for the bulk of his start — exactly the kind of performance this team needs from him as we push deeper into the second half.

Sasaki’s journey to this point has been one of the most fascinating stories in baseball. The Japanese right-hander arrived in Los Angeles as one of the most hyped international signings in recent memory, having dazzled in NPB with a fastball that sits in the upper 90s and a devastating splitter that makes hitters look foolish. His early tenure with the Dodgers has been a process — adjusting to MLB hitters, a new league, a new country, and the grind of a 162-game schedule. Starts like this one are exactly what the organization has been building toward. Sasaki’s stuff has never been in question; it’s the consistency and command that needed to come along. Silencing a Mets lineup that can do damage is a real sign of growth.

What stands out about this outing is the way Sasaki responded after not having his best stuff early. That’s a maturity thing. Young pitchers — especially those adjusting to a new league — can spiral when the first inning doesn’t go their way. Sasaki didn’t. He settled in, started locating his splitter with more precision, and made the Mets chase. That’s the kind of pitching that wins in October, and I think it’s fair to say the Dodgers coaching staff has to feel encouraged by the mental side of his development as much as the physical.

For the Dodgers, this win matters in the context of a rotation that’s been dealing with a lot of moving pieces. With Walker Buehler gone, Clayton Kershaw in the twilight of his career, and multiple arms working their way back from injury, Sasaki stepping up as a reliable starter is borderline essential. We know Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been carrying a heavy load, and Shohei Ohtani is still working his way back to the mound. Having Sasaki deliver quality starts takes pressure off the rest of the staff and keeps the bullpen fresh — something that matters more and more as the trade deadline approaches and the postseason picture sharpens.

The bigger picture here is straightforward: the Dodgers invested in Sasaki because they believed he could be a frontline arm. Nights like this validate that belief. He doesn’t need to be perfect every time out — he needs to compete, limit damage, and give the offense a chance. That’s what he did against the Mets. If he keeps building on outings like this one, the Dodgers’ rotation depth becomes a genuine strength rather than a question mark. And with the deadline looming, a locked-in Sasaki makes the front office’s job a little easier — you’re adding to a position of strength rather than plugging a hole.

Source(s): Bill Plunkett (Orange County Register) | First reported: July 25, 2026 5:28 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers