{
  "id": 8987673,
  "title": "Dodgers news: Roberts preps Sasaki playoff plan that helped win World Series",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/dodgers-news-roberts-preps-sasaki-playoff-plan-that-helped-win-world",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T19:15:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dodgers-news-roberts-preps-sasaki-191542471.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Los Angeles Dodgers have secured a playoff spot and are strategizing to secure a bye to the divisional round of the MLB playoffs. Pitcher Roki Sasaki, who has not pitched since August 26, will return for the postseason, but he will be working out of the bullpen. Sasaki, who made 23 starts for the team this year with a 5-5 record and 4.60 ERA, has a history of excelling in relief roles. He appeared in nine games in the playoffs during the previous season, posting a 0.84 ERA in 10 2/3 innings. The Dodgers have depth at the starting pitching position, with Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell all available. Shohei Ohtani, however, is dealing with injuries that have kept him out of the lineup. The Dodgers are currently 96-60, holding the second-best record in the National League and two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot. They would face the winner of the Braves vs. Phillies series in the divisional round, starting with a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.",
  "summary": "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 . Another player who will be back soon is Roki Sasaki, who has not pitched since August […] The post Dodgers news: Roberts preps Sasaki…",
  "key_points": [
    "Roki Sasaki returning to bullpen for postseason",
    "Sasaki excelled in relief roles with 0.84 ERA",
    "Dodgers face Braves vs. Phillies winner in divisional round"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}