Roki Sasaki 2026 MLB Improvements: Command, Strikeouts, and Dodgers Playoff Impact

Year-over-year MLB comparison of Roki Sasaki's career through September 15, 2026

Despite the blister injury that had sidelined him since August 27th, 2026, Roki Sasaki has been more resilient, expanding his workload from 10 games and eight starts in 2025 to 23 games, all of them starts. His innings increased from 36.1 to 119.1, and his record improved from 1–1 to 5–5. Although his ERA rose slightly from 4.46 to 4.60, his WHIP improved from 1.43 to 1.33. In an earlier article, I noted that Roki has the makings to be an elite pitcher but also noted that he’s a puzzling player to evaluate. He can be dominant at times but come back to his old habits. Before his injury on though, he’s made strives to change the narrative.

Where he improved

The clearest sign of Sasaki’s growth is his improved command. His walk rate dropped from 13.7% to 9.4%, while his walks per nine innings fell from 5.45 to 3.62. He also missed more bats, raising his strikeout rate from 17.4% to 22.9% and his strikeouts per nine from 6.94 to 8.82. The result was 117 strikeouts in 2026, a major jump from 28 the year before.

The gains also show up in his overall efficiency. Sasaki nearly doubled his strikeout-to-walk ratio, improving from 1.27 to 2.44, while lowering his expected ERA from 5.66 to 4.42. Those underlying metrics suggest he pitched better than his 4.60 ERA indicates. Just as importantly, he showed he could handle a much larger role, increasing his workload from 36.1 innings to 119.1.

Bottom line

Sasaki is trending in the right direction. His 4.60 ERA is slightly higher than last year’s 4.46 mark, but the improved command, strikeout rate, and workload point to a more effective starter. The next step is limiting damage on contact: hitters own a .244 average and .468 slugging percentage against him, and his fastball has produced negative run value. His season was also interrupted by a right middle-finger blister that landed him on the injured list.

A Question about Playoffs

Whether Roki Sasaki should remain in the rotation for the playoffs as a starter or return to the bullpen, as he did in 2025, remains a question. His 2026 improvements give the Dodgers a much-improved and more experienced secret weapon in the bullpen. Relief pitching for the Dodgers hasn’t been consistent throughout the year. The bullpen has posted an ERA around 3.8–4.0, ranking roughly ninth to 12th in MLB depending on the source. However, its 43 saves, 20 blown saves, and 68.3% save rate point to late-inning volatility.

His strikeout rate has climbed, his walk rate has dropped, and he has shown he can handle a much heavier workload than he did as a rookie. The 4.60 ERA does not tell the full story. A 4.42 expected ERA suggests he has pitched slightly better than the results indicate. If healthy, Sasaki’s ability to overpower hitters in short stints could be more valuable for the Dodgers in the playoffs than having him start. One of Roki’s weaknesses has been his stamina. This is especially blatantly obvious in the regular season, when he pitches excellently for two to four innings before falling behind afterward. This may have been the underlying reason why Roki was so successful in the 2025 season. Although he has improved as a starter this season, he has already proven himself as a closer in the playoffs.

Key Takeaways

· Sasaki has made clear progress in 2026, improving his command, strikeout rate, efficiency, and workload.

· His 4.60 ERA does not fully reflect his performance, as his 4.42 expected ERA suggests better underlying results.

· Stamina and hard contact remain concerns, especially when he works beyond the early innings.

· Given the Dodgers’ late-inning volatility and Sasaki’s previous playoff success in relief, a bullpen role could maximize his impact in October.

Roki Sasaki Articles

• Roki Sasaki's Dodgers Dilemma
• Roki Sasaki is the next great one
• The Tall Tale of Angels and Dodgers
• Roki Sasaki's Struggles Explained
• The Padres' scandal will hurt chances for Roki Sasaki

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