The Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to remove Rōki Sasaki after just one inning in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers may not have been the best move.

With Yoshinobu Yamamoto unable to get through three innings, the Dodgers needed their bullpen to cover a significant portion of the game. Sasaki had the opportunity to provide some much-needed length, but manager Dave Roberts opted to take him out after a scoreless inning.

Considering the struggles the Dodgers have experienced on the pitching side this postseason, along with their need to manage their bullpen carefully, the decision raises questions about whether Roberts could have gotten more out of Sasaki.

The Dodgers’ pitching performances in the NLCS have not come easily, which is understandable against a Brewers team that finished with the best record in Major League Baseball. Still, Los Angeles has the arms to compete with Milwaukee’s lineup, along with something that cannot be overlooked in October: postseason experience and success.

That is not meant to take anything away from what the Brewers have accomplished. However, when looking at the Dodgers’ roster, it is difficult not to view this team as one built to succeed in the postseason.

For the Dodgers to fall short of expectations against Milwaukee, it raises questions about where this team stands and whether it can perform at the level expected of a back-to-back World Series champion.

There are no excuses for Los Angeles at this point in the season. The Dodgers have not played up to the Brewers’ level, and their offensive struggles have been a significant part of that problem. Although the pitching staff cannot control what happens at the plate, Game 2 presented an opportunity for Los Angeles to even the series.

Whether the loss ultimately comes down to Roberts’ managerial decisions or the Dodgers simply failing to execute on the mound, the result highlights how quickly a postseason game can get away from a team.

When a starting pitcher such as Yamamoto exits after just 2.2 innings, it changes the entire outlook for the rest of the game. The bullpen must cover more innings than anticipated, potentially forcing relievers into situations they otherwise would not have faced.

That is why Sasaki’s early exit stands out. He hasn't gotten much time this postseason, partly because the Dodgers strengthened their bullpen with offseason acquisitions. However, his limited usage does not erase what he accomplished during the team’s championship run last year.

In the 2025 postseason, Sasaki appeared in nine games as a reliever, posting a 0.84 ERA and recording three saves across 10.2 innings. He allowed just one earned run, establishing himself as a valuable part of the Dodgers’ bullpen during their World Series run.

With that experience in mind, removing Sasaki after one scoreless inning in such a critical game raises a legitimate question: Could Roberts have trusted him to go another inning?

Sasaki had thrown only 14 pitches against Milwaukee, allowing no hits or runs while recording a strikeout and issuing one walk. Although the walk showed that the inning was not entirely clean, he had done enough to keep the Brewers off the scoreboard.

Of course, managing Sasaki's workload and protecting his health remain important considerations. But with the Dodgers needing length from their bullpen after Yamamoto’s early departure, allowing Sasaki to continue could have been worth the risk.

Ultimately, there is no guarantee that another inning from Sasaki would have changed the outcome. Baseball rarely offers such certainty, particularly in October. However, given his postseason track record and the circumstances surrounding Game 2, the Dodgers may have missed an opportunity to get more from one of their most promising relief options.