Roki Sasaki Tipped as New Dodgers Closer
Listen to the story
American media have reported that Roki Sasaki, a Japanese pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has quickly become a top candidate to become the team's new closer. He could replace Alex Diaz in this role.
A closer is the pitcher who finishes a game, usually protecting a small lead. According to reports, Sasaki is now seen as the "most likely option" for this important job. This would be a big change for the young pitcher.
At the same time, the Dodgers face another challenge with star player Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is known as a two-way player because he can both pitch and hit at a professional level. However, the team currently cannot use him in both roles at once, creating what has been called a dilemma for the coaching staff.
The Dodgers are also dealing with a demanding schedule. The team must play 13 games in a row without a rest day, a stretch that puts heavy pressure on the pitching staff.
To manage this busy period, the Dodgers are relying on only six starting pitchers and seven relief pitchers. This means the coaching staff must carefully plan who pitches in each game to avoid tiring out key players.
If Sasaki does take over as closer, it would give the Dodgers a new option for finishing close games during this difficult stretch. Fans and analysts are now watching closely to see how the team's pitching roles develop over the coming weeks.
Vocabulary10 words
- closer
- a pitcher who finishes the game to protect a win
- two-way player
- a player who can both pitch and hit well
- dilemma
- a difficult situation with a hard choice
- starting pitcher
- a pitcher who begins the game
- relief pitcher
- a pitcher who comes in later in the game
- stretch
- a series of games played close together
- candidate
- someone who might get a job or role
- schedule
- a plan of when games happen
- role
- a job or position someone has
- pressure
- stress caused by a hard situation
Quiz
Answer key
1. Reports say he is the most likely option to replace Diaz 2. He cannot play as both a pitcher and hitter at the same time right now 3. Seven
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
American media have reported that Roki Sasaki, a Japanese pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has quickly become a top _____ to become the team's new closer. He could replace Alex Diaz in this role.
A closer is the pitcher who finishes a game, usually protecting a small lead. According to reports, Sasaki is now seen as the "most likely _____" for this important job.
At the same time, the Dodgers face another challenge with star player Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is known as a two-way player because he can both pitch and hit at a professional level. However, the team currently cannot use him in both roles at once, creating what has been called a _____ for the coaching staff.
The Dodgers are also dealing with a demanding _____. The team must play 13 games in a row without a rest day, a stretch that puts heavy _____ on the pitching staff.
To manage this busy period, the Dodgers are relying on only six starting pitchers and seven _____ pitchers. This means the coaching staff must carefully plan who pitches in each game.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it is a good idea for the Dodgers to change their closer? Why or why not?
- Why might it be difficult for a team to use a two-way player like Ohtani in both roles at once?
- How do you think playing 13 games in a row without rest affects players?
- Would you rather watch a pitcher who starts games or one who closes them? Why?