Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Reflects on Spring Struggles and Optimism for the Season
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Roki Sasaki took the mound against the Los Angeles Angels, and while the scoreboard might not have been kind, there's more to the story than meets the eye. Sasaki, a promising right-hander, faced a tough outing, allowing five earned runs over two innings with six walks and two hit batters. Despite these challenges, he managed to keep the Angels hitless and struck out two, ending the game in a 7-7 tie.
Aiming for Game-Ready Form
Sasaki approached his final spring training game with the mindset of a regular-season battle. "I wanted to pitch the way I’m supposed to," he shared. However, he acknowledged the results were not what he hoped for, admitting, "As far as today goes, it was poor."
Control Issues and Adjustments
When asked about his struggles with control, Sasaki noted that his bullpen session before the game was promising. Yet, once the game began, familiar issues resurfaced. "In the past, I've been able to make adjustments during the game," he explained, "but today, I couldn’t find it."
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
Sasaki remains determined to address these challenges before the season kicks off. "It doesn't matter if I can fix it or not; I have to go out next week and just go right at batters," he stated. Reflecting on his spring, he noted the positives but recognized the need to step up when the games count.
Confidence in His Abilities
Despite a rocky spring, Sasaki is confident about his potential as a starting pitcher in the majors. He plans to leave spring struggles behind, focusing on the fresh start the regular season offers. "The issues I had in spring training, I just need to correct them one by one," he emphasized.
Balancing Mental and Mechanical Challenges
Sasaki acknowledged that mental toughness plays a role in his performance. He aims to pinpoint mechanical changes that can lead to success on the mound. "If I can do that, I won't have to blame it on mental weakness," he said, focusing on understanding how to effectively approach batters.
As Sasaki prepares for the regular season, his determination to overcome spring hurdles and contribute to the Dodgers' success is clear. With his talent and mindset, he's poised to make an impact when the games truly begin to matter.