Roki Sasaki turned in the best start of his Major League Baseball career on Sunday, holding the Los Angeles Angels to one run over seven innings in Anaheim while striking out eight and issuing zero walks, according to a report from Yahoo Sports.
Sasaki has been adjusting his pitch mix this season, adding a faster version of his split-fingered fastball alongside the slower forkball he has thrown in both of his years with the Dodgers. David Adler at MLB.com analyzed the movement differences between the two pitches. "When hitters have to contend with both the diving splitter and floating forkball with two strikes," Adler wrote, "Sasaki can keep them way more off-balance."
The Dodgers also added a left-handed arm to their pitching staff on Sunday, acquiring Eric Lauer from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash consideration. Maddie Lee at the Los Angeles Times reported that manager Dave Roberts is initially picturing Lauer in a length role out of the bullpen. Lauer is expected to be activated during the team's upcoming series against the San Diego Padres.
Shohei Ohtani contributed offensively in Saturday's game against the Angels, tripling home two runs and then scoring on an error in the eighth inning. The play created confusion because the ball bounced into play and then struck the netting above the right field wall in foul territory in Anaheim, which per the ground rules was not considered out of play. Alex Call described the moment after the fact. "I turned around and Shohei was coming home, and I'm like, 'What happened?' I didn't find out until later. But I guess yeah, the ball's in play there," Call said, as reported by Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic.
Away from the field, former Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling, who retired from baseball a year ago, has launched a financial services company aimed at helping athletes manage money after their playing days end. Stripling told the Los Angeles Times he plans to focus on young athletes who are suddenly receiving six- or seven-figure payments from draft bonuses, college revenue sharing, and name, image and likeness deals.
"I've seen the first-rounders come in and blow money on cars and houses and gambling," Stripling said, "and I've seen the first-rounders like (former Dodgers shortstop Corey) Seager, who probably hasn't spent a dime of his signing bonus."
