"Another First Time" Japanese pitcher will be selected in two consecutive games! 156.7 km Sasaki will go daily → Tokyo Series Japanese one-two punch surprise appearance
"Another First Time" Japanese pitcher will be selected in two consecutive games! 156.7 km Sasaki will go daily → Tokyo Series Japanese one-two punch surprise appearance
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Nothing unexpected happened. After completing the final inspection, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rocky Sasaki will serve as the starting pitcher for Game 2 of the Tokyo Series. It is a festive event for Japanese fans. The Dodgers will hold two consecutive games with Japanese pitchers.
Kristen Watson of SportsNetLA and David Base of AM570 made the official announcement on Wednesday (Korea time). "Sasaki will start the second game of the Tokyo Series in Japan. It is his MLB debut."
It was only to be expected. Sasaki has been warming up to the Tokyo Series during the exhibition games. He also started the exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, and pitched four innings of one hit, two walks, and two strikeouts. He threw a total of 41 pitches to check his physical condition, and recorded the maximum speed of 97.4 mph (156.7 km) and average speed of 96.3 mph (155 km). Since his debut game at the exhibition game, which he played on Sunday, he has frozen big league hitters with his fastball and big splitter.
The possibility of Sasaki taking the mound in the Tokyo Series was evident only by looking at the schedules of pitchers from both sides. Notably, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was selected as the starting pitcher for the first game of the Tokyo Series, took the mound on the 11th and completed the final inspection. If he plans to take rest like Yamamoto, he should take the mound on the 12th and play in the second game of the Tokyo Series.
However, the Dodgers had delayed its official announcement until now. It had no experience in making a big league debut and did not know how he would perform at exhibition games. He also had health problems when he was playing in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). When announcing Yamamoto's selection for the first round, manager Dave Roberts mentioned Sasaki's possibility for the second round, but avoided giving a definite answer.
For Sasaki, it's not a bad idea to debut in the Tokyo Series. The Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs will be held at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. As a five-year veteran of the NPB (fourth year in the first division), Sasaki is more familiar with the performance than Dodger Stadium. He can also throw his Dodgers fans with his "Otani Shohei effect" on his back.
A meaningful stage has been created for Japanese baseball as well. As many as five Japanese big leaguers will participate in this Tokyo series. Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki are playing for the Cubs as well as Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki. Imanaga will face Yamamoto in the first game.
It is a significant matchup. "This is the first game that Japanese-born starting pitchers will play in the regular season of the MLB at Tokyo Dome," said Sarah Reims of MLB.COM. "It is also the first time that Japanese-born starting pitchers will play in the opening game." 토토사이트
Added to this is Sasaki. With this, the Dodgers set up a one-two punch with only Japanese pitchers and moved to Tokyo. Japanese fans in Japan will be able to observe their pitchers' good pitching no matter what game they reserve.
Of course, this is also the first time for a Japanese pitcher to be a starting pitcher in both the first and second rounds of this season. "Imanaga will also play for the Cubs. Three Japanese pitchers will be selected from both teams," said Japan Sports Hochi.
"I'm happy to make my big league debut before I throw to Japan," Sasaki said. "I'm very excited as I'm here to play in the MLB. It feels special to be able to make my debut in Tokyo again. It's rare. I'm also glad that I can play without injury so far."