With a perfect game on his résumé, a 2.02 ERA, and now an MLB debut on home soil, Roki Sasaki is set to take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the Tokyo Series. That says a lot about how much the team believes in his talent.
Dodgers Sign Roki Sasaki After Dominant 4-Season Run in Nippon Professional Baseball
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it official that Sasaki will start Game 2 of the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs on March 19, 2025, at the Tokyo Dome.
In a video, Roberts stated, “Appreciating the fact that we’re going back to their home country, it’s the perfect story.”
Sasaki showcased his dominance with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball before signing with the Dodgers. Over four seasons, he compiled a 30-15 record and the aforementioned 2.02 ERA.
Sasaki’s arsenal features a high-velocity fastball that regularly hits 100 miles per hour, solidifying his status as one of the most intimidating pitchers in recent memory. He made history with a perfect game in April 2022 and played a key role in Japan’s victory at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
An X user commented, “Roki was born in the same prefecture as Ohtani. The world should investigate Iwate Prefecture.”
Roberts also announced that Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 1 of the Tokyo Series.
Chicago Cubs Bring Japanese Stars Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki
The 2025 Tokyo Series is a major event for MLB’s global push. Set for March 18 and 19 at the Tokyo Dome, these games will be the first regular-season MLB matchups in Japan since 2019.
The Cubs’ roster includes Japanese stars Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, adding to the excitement of the series. Teammate Michael Busch seems excited about the trip to Japan and is looking to learn more about Japanese culture from Imanaga and Suzuki.
In his 2025 Cactus League debut with the Dodgers, Sasaki pitched three scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five. He topped out at 99.3 mph on his fastball, while his splitter was dominant, generating seven swings and misses on eight attempts.
Sasaki joins the Dodgers in what has been a busy offseason. The team also signed lefty Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal and outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million contract.
In January 2025, Sasaki signed with the Dodgers, receiving a $6.5 million signing bonus. Since he is under 25, he had to sign a minor league contract but is expected to make an immediate impact in the major league rotation.