As the Los Angeles Dodgers face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, this matchup promises to be an exciting one. The Dodgers, boasting a record of 25-13, will send Roki Sasaki (1-1, 3.86 ERA) to the mound against Eduardo Rodriguez of the Diamondbacks, who has struggled with a 5.92 ERA and a 1-3 record. In their previous game, Arizona secured a 5-3 victory, highlighted by Gabriel Moreno's grand slam that eclipsed Shohei Ohtani’s impressive eleventh home run of the season.

The Dodgers lead the league in runs scored, with 206, trailing only the Cubs and Tigers. Key players to watch include Ohtani, who has hits in six straight games, including four home runs, and Freddie Freeman, who is on a 13-game hitting streak. The game is set for May 9, 2025, at 9:40 PM EST at Chase Field, and fans can catch it on SNLA or ARID.

The Texas Rangers are strategically allocating their international free agent bonus pool as they pursue top prospects. With around $3 million remaining in their $6.261 million pool, they are set to sign Kim-sung Joon, a promising two-way player from Korea, for just over $1 million. This move reflects their cautious spending, as they previously aimed to sign Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who ultimately joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Joon, who recently turned 18, is viewed as a significant talent, exhibiting skills as both a right-handed pitcher and shortstop. He graduated from Gwang-ju High School, a prestigious institution known for producing major leaguers like Hee-Seop Choi and Jung Ho Kang. This signing indicates the Rangers' commitment to enhancing their farm system with high-caliber international talent.

As the Dodgers face a challenging stretch in their rotation, the need for Shohei Ohtani's return becomes critical. Despite adding top pitchers like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers' starting lineup is in disarray, with injuries plaguing key players. Snell and Tyler Glasnow are on the injured list, leaving rookie Sasaki to shoulder significant responsibility along with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dustin May in an upcoming series against the Diamondbacks.

Ohtani's presence is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity if the Dodgers want to defend their World Series title. Manager Dave Roberts has opted for a cautious approach, stressing the importance of Ohtani's long-term health after his second Tommy John surgery. Limiting Ohtani to light bullpen sessions, the team is keen on ensuring he is ready for the postseason, especially with October looming and the National League West race tightly contested.

Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, finally marked his first victory in the MLB with a solid performance against the Atlanta Braves. In his seventh start, he pitched five innings while allowing three earned runs. Teammate Mookie Betts praised Sasaki's growth and increasing confidence on the mound. After initial struggles, Sasaki's ERA has improved significantly, indicating he is starting to settle in after adapting to the MLB environment.

The Dodgers, facing a plethora of injuries in their rotation, especially need Sasaki to perform at his best. With the likes of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell on the injured list, and Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani yet to pitch this season, Sasaki's development is crucial for team stability. He is increasingly viewed as a potential ace, filling a much-needed role in a rotation that is currently lacking depth.

Roki Sasaki finally secured his first major league win with the Los Angeles Dodgers, dominating the Atlanta Braves in a 10-3 victory. Sasaki faced a three-hour rain delay before entering the game, which helped him settle into his routine. Although he struggled with his fastball control, he managed to escape a shaky first inning without conceding any runs, ultimately striking out four batters throughout the game.

With solid support from teammates like Shohei Ohtani, who hit a home run, and contributions from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers maintained a strong offensive presence. Sasaki's journey continues as he acknowledges the need to refine his pitching, especially his fastball, but his first win marks an important milestone in his career.