The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday at Dodger Stadium, but the story afterward centered on Roki Sasaki’s continued development.

Following the game, manager Dave Roberts spoke about Sasaki’s performance and explained that Friday’s outing looked much closer to the version of the pitcher the Dodgers believed they were acquiring.

Roberts acknowledged that expectations may have been unfair early in Sasaki’s transition from Japan to Major League Baseball. He reflected on the adjustment period, noting that Sasaki experienced difficult stretches and moments of doubt before beginning to move past them.

“This is the guy that we saw on video in Japan, and that we hoped to get,” Roberts said according to Sonja Chen from MLB.com.

“I think that we were all guilty of expecting it to be seamless. Certainly unfair to Roki, not appreciating that there has to be some transition period. He went through some tough times and some doubts, but he’s gotten to the other side,” Roberts added.

Friday offered one of the clearest examples yet.

Sasaki delivered seven scoreless innings, surrendering two hits and two walks while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts.

The performance highlighted the type of dominance Los Angeles envisioned when the organization signed the right-hander as a free agent in January 2025.

Through 11 starts this season, the 24-year-old owns a 3-3 record with a 4.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 58 innings.

His recent trend has been especially encouraging.

During May, Sasaki posted a 3.18 ERA and 0.99 WHIP while striking out 28 batters and issuing only six walks in 28.1 innings across five starts.

That progress stands in contrast to the uneven beginning of his major league career.

His initial season in the majors produced a 1-1 record with a 4.46 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside 28 strikeouts and 22 walks in 36.1 innings over 10 appearances (eight starts).

At times, the results did not resemble the pitcher who generated excitement internationally.

More recently, however, the trajectory has started to change.

Sasaki also addressed the process behind the improvement.

Speaking through interpreter Kensuke Okubo, he explained that he continues making small adjustments and believes those refinements are helping everything come together. He added that finding better rhythm on the mound has helped sustain his progress.

“I’m making small adjustments all the time. I think that because of that, everything’s kind of put together,” Sasaki said. “When I do that, I find a good rhythm out there. That kind of keeps me going.”

That gradual improvement is exactly what the Dodgers hoped to see.

The talent has never been in question.

Now the focus becomes maintaining the adjustments and turning flashes of dominance into a consistent part of Sasaki’s game.

Friday looked like another meaningful step in that direction.

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