Dave Roberts formally gave Roki Sasaki the job of closing off the ninth inning just a few days ago. Roberts used his 100-mph arm again in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. This time, though, the story wasn’t the same. While Sasaki displayed a rare moment of weakness, it didn’t undermine the faith of baseball icon Pedro Martinez.

During the ninth inning, Sasaki’s velocity and control slipped. After a popout, he walked Isaac Collins, then gave up a ground-rule double to Jake Bauers, followed by a sacrifice fly from Jackson Chourio. Another walk ended his night, prompting the manager to pull him from the game. The Dodgers secured the win, yet the rookie’s performance became the night’s focal point. And Martinez responded quickly after this.

The HOF posted on X, “Sasaki will be just fine. I think he needed to feel the ball a bit more, but he will be ok. Relievers are taught to have a very short memory. He’ll be even better with the feel for the ball.” Martinez recognized what others might have missed in the moment.

Roki Sasaki was unbeatable in his first two playoff series. In his first four games of October, he faced 13 batters and allowed just one to reach base, being the Dodgers’ most reliable reliever with three scoreless innings in NLDS Game 4.

Plus, the rookie’s 2025 season explains Martinez’s confidence.

He faced challenges in his recovery earlier in the season but regained his rhythm in the playoffs. He pitched in Triple-A rehab and tossed a scoreless inning with a fastball that reached 98–100 mph. He struck out two batters and showed flashes of his upper-90s speed. By the NLDS, his fastball averaged 99.5 mph and even reached 100.7 mph during his three-inning bullpen masterpiece in NLDS Game 4. The 23-year-old has consistently demonstrated an ability to respond after setbacks.

In this game, though, Blake Treinen salvaged the opener. He entered with the game on the line, walked William Contreras to load the bases, then struck out Brice Turang on a high fastball to preserve a gutsy 2–1 Game 1 NLCS triumph for the Dodgers.

The win came despite a persistent concern about the bullpen. And Blake Snell’s unbeatable performance gave the Dodgers every chance to close cleanly.

Beyond Sasaki: When Snell shines, the ‘Pen must follow

In Game 1 of the NLCS, Blake Snell pitched eight shutout innings, gave up only one hit, struck out ten batters, and didn’t walk any. This season, he has pitched three times so far in the postseason and has given up only two earned runs in 21 innings, striking out 29 batters. This was one of the most consistent streaks on this postseason stuff.

But when Snell left, the bullpen fell apart under pressure.

Roki Sasaki’s poor ninth inning, which included walks, a double, and a sacrifice fly, almost cost them the game. But Treinen became the savior.

Now, Roberts needs to use his relievers wisely if he wants to win a second straight title, which no club has done in 25 years. He needs to keep an eye on matchups, not overwork arms, and not depend on one bad effort to win games.

After the game, Roberts addressed the media with his reasoning. “Blake was fantastic, but we’re thinking about the big picture — not just tonight, but the rest of the series. He was at 103 pitches, and with how Roki’s been throwing in the ninth lately, it felt like the right move. Plus, if we’re looking at getting Blake back on regular rest for Game 5, that factored in as well.”

Snell’s great pitching provided L.A. a strong base, but the question remains: Can the bullpen handle more pressure? Can Roki Sasaki bounce back right away? Will Roberts’ plan for the bullpen help the reigning champions win close games this postseason? The answers will emerge in the games ahead.