Sasaki's 101-mph Ninth Sends Dodgers to NLDS

Roki Sasaki dazzled in his postseason debut, throwing a perfect ninth to close the Dodgers’ 8-4 Wild Card win over the Reds and advance Los Angeles to the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. He averaged about 100.6 mph, topped out above 101 mph, and used a sharp, unusually low-spin splitter around 88 mph to record two swinging strikeouts in the inning. Sasaki’s outing caps a return from a right shoulder impingement that led to a rehab stint and a move from the rotation into relief, after which his strikeout rate and velocity rebounded. Manager Dave Roberts and teammates praised his poise and confidence and said they trust him in high-leverage situations. The Dodgers hope Sasaki’s electric arm can help steady a bullpen the club has described as hampered more by execution and confidence than by talent.