Dodgers' Roki Sasaki aims for better showing in clash vs. Tigers

After feeling the love in his home country while making his major league debut, rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki now will get plenty of support from his new home fans when the Los Angeles Dodgers try for a series sweep against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

In a rare Saturday series finale, Sasaki (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will square off against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (4-8, 3.53 last season), who will be making his 2025 debut.

Sasaki's second start will come before Dodgers right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Dustin May even take their first turns in the rotation.

In his debut in Japan on March 19 against the Chicago Cubs, Sasaki gave up one run on one hit but went just three innings after he walked five with three strikeouts.

An ability to work his way out of jams, while allowing just one hit was more than enough for the Dodgers to be satisfied with the debut from their offseason addition. Known for a devastating splitter, the signature pitch was a bit lacking against the Cubs.

"I think it was a really good thing that I was able to pitch with a good nervousness," Sasaki said through an interpreter. "I think it was a really excellent environment created by the Japanese fans, an environment that's unique to Japan. I think it'll be different from what it'll be like in the United States."

If the first two games of the current series are any indication, Sasaki's goal will be to keep the Dodgers close.

An early deficit is nothing to fear. Los Angeles rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Tigers on Thursday and overcame multiple deficits Friday.

Mookie Betts showed he is feeling just fine with a pair of home runs, including a three-run shot in the 10th inning for an 8-5 victory. Betts lost nearly 20 pounds because of a stomach virus and had been questionable to play in the current series.

"I can't say enough about Mookie and the offense," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "They just keep persevering."

Olson, 24, made his second consecutive Opening Day roster for the Tigers but did miss two months with a shoulder strain in the second half of last season. He returned in time to make two appearances (one start) in the American League Division Series loss to the Cleveland Guardians, pitching to a 2.00 ERA in nine innings.

He had a start against the Dodgers in his rookie season of 2023, earning the win by allowing one run on two hits over six innings with five strikeouts.

The Tigers had leads in each of their first two games, including a two-run advantage in the 10th inning Friday, but lost both times. Detroit right-hander Beau Brieske gave up five runs (four earned) in the 10th, including Betts' game-ending three-run blast.

"I love the way we're battling and staying in these games," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "We just need one more extra thing to happen our way ... and this entire series could be different, but they're a tough team to put away."

After Spencer Torkelson hit a home run in Thursday's opener, and reached base five times with four walks, Dillon Dingler and Gleyber Torres each hit home runs for Detroit on Friday. Dingler also had a two-run triple in the 10th inning Friday.

Torres is scheduled to be examined for a rib cage injury that appeared to occur on his homer.

--Field Level Media