Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Struggles in Five-Day Rest Start vs Diamondbacks

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks are engaged in a competitive four-game series, with Arizona taking the opener 5-3, highlighted by Gabriel Moreno's grand slam and strong pitching from Brandon Pfaadt. Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki, who has struggled with control and efficiency early in his Major League career, made his first start on five days' rest, a change he himself requested given the demanding schedule. Sasaki has shown promise with strong strikeout ability but has allowed six home runs in his last five outings and has struggled with walks, which could impact his ERA negatively if not addressed. The Dodgers, dealing with injuries and a tight schedule, have been cautious with their pitching staff, including veteran Yoshinobu Yamamoto also pitching on five days' rest, as they try to maintain effectiveness on this taxing road trip. Both teams have a storied rivalry and are evenly matched over recent seasons, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts optimistic about Sasaki's development and the team's ability to compete. Arizona will debut their new Serpientes City Connect uniforms during the series, adding another layer of excitement to the ongoing contest.