Dodgers news: Roberts preps Sasaki playoff plan that helped win World Series

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched a playoff spot and are looking to secure a bye to the divisional round of the MLB playoffs. As the team prepares for the final week of the season, the Dodgers are getting players, such as Shohei Ohtani, back in the lineup.

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Another player who will be back soon is Roki Sasaki, who has not pitched since August 26. While the pitcher will be back for the playoffs, he is going to be in a different role when he returns, according to ESPN.

Sasaki will be working out of the bullpen in the upcoming series with the San Diego Padres. Sasaki has not pitched out of the bullpen this season, making 23 starts for the team. He has a 5-5 record with a 4.60 ERA so far this year. Still, it will not be the first time that Sasaki has come out of the bullpen. He was a major contributor in 2025, appearing in nine games in the playoffs, all in relief. He posted a 0.84 ERA in 10 2/3 innings of work as the Dodgers won a second straight World Series.

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The team has a ton of depth at the starting pitching spot. While Tarik Skubal is currently on the bereavement list, he will be back for the playoffs. Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been a stud for the team this year, as has Justin Wrobleski. The team also has Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, who have both dealt with injuries this year. There is also always the possibility that Shohei Ohtani could be used to pitch some, although he is also dealing with injuries that have kept him out of the lineup.

The Dodgers are 96-60 this year and have clinched the NL West. Currently, they have the second-best record in the National League and are just two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot. They are also two four games in front of the Atlanta Braves for the last bye in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Currently, the Dodgers would face the winner of a series between the Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies in the divisional round of the playoffs. They begin a three-game series with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

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Related: Dave Roberts teases Shohei Ohtani’s return vs. Padres, and he’s not only Dodgers player coming back

Related: How Tarik Skubal’s absence is allowing 1 Dodgers pitcher to make serious playoff roster case