Dodgers' Roki Sasaki aims for better showing in clash vs. Tigers
Mar 19, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, JPN; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) waves to the crowd after defeating the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 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
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Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
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Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) attempts to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Toronto FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when the Philadelphia Union visit on Wednesday.
Toronto (3-2-3, 12 points) is 3-0-3 in its last six outings. Wednesday marks the sixth date of Toronto FC’s nine-match homestand, and the club is unbeaten (4-0-8) in its last 12 home matches dating back to last season.
Despite the good results, midfielder Malik Henry felt his team left victories on the table.
“Some of the draws we’ve had, we feel like we definitely could have won those games, which makes it a bit more disappointing,” Henry told TFC Republic. “We just have to take the points and then continue to move forward with it.”
Walker Zimmerman is expected to be available Wednesday, in a boost to an injury-depleted back line. Zimmerman missed Toronto’s last two matches with a calf injury.
Toronto FC’s offense has been both varied and efficient. Eight Toronto players have at least one goal this season, and the team’s 51.5% accurate shooting percentage is the best in MLS.
The Union are at the other end of the attacking spectrum, with a 27.1% AS percentage that ranks second-last in the league.
Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) has recorded only six goals in eight regular-season matches, ahead of only four-goal D.C. United in MLS.
The lack of offense contributed to the Union’s season-opening six-game losing streak, and goals remain at a premium even as Philadelphia has gone 1-0-1 in its last two matches. The Union outshot D.C. United 17-6 on Saturday and held D.C. without a shot on target, yet still had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell felt that returning to the striker pairing of Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh can help unlock the Union’s offense.
“We have tried a lot of different combinations (at forward) and now we go back-to-back with the same,” Carnell said. “Every day we get together with Eze and Bruno working together, it’s … one day more advanced and developed.”
–Field Level Media
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
