Roki Sasaki looks to be near peak form ahead of his first MLB start.
The Los Angeles Dodgers rookie dominated the Cleveland Guardians in his final spring training start, pitching four scoreless innings Tuesday afternoon.
Sasaki allowed just one hit and two walks, with two strikeouts, as the Dodgers beat the Guardians 10-4.
In two Cactus League starts this spring, Sasaki allowed three hits, three walks and one hit batter with seven strikeouts in seven shutout innings.
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Los Angeles will now head to Tokyo for a two-game series with the Chicago Cubs, March 18-19. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Sasaki will pitch Game 2 of the series while fellow Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch the opener.
“To be able to pitch in Japan is going to be a really special and unique opportunity,” Sasaki said, according to Dodgers Insider. “Obviously, being able to pitch in the major leagues is something that I’ve worked for a long time to be able to do. So I’m really excited.”
The Dodgers signed Sasaki out of Japan in January after he pitched four seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. He posted a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA for the Chiba Lotte Marines during his NPB career.
The two-game Tokyo series between the Dodgers and Cubs can be seen on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. Game 1 is scheduled for March 18 at 6 a.m. ET and Game 2 will follow the next day at the same time.