Evaluating Roki’s Post Game Comments after May 11 2026’s No Decision

3 Line Summary

• Roki Sasaki said this was one of his better outings of the season because he was able to command all of his pitches, attack the strike zone, and carefully work inside even with runners on base.
• He felt his approach the first time through the lineup was effective, but admitted he became too predictable the second and third times through the order and needs better pitch sequencing and communication with his coaches and catcher.
• Despite the improved command and results, Sasaki said he still feels “far” from the pitcher he ultimately wants to become in the major leagues.

The blue responses are our direct translation of Roki’s answers and the

are our commentary on the interpretation of Roki’s responses. Finally, we finish with a grade of the interpreter.

Kirsten: Roki, when you look at how you started this game, you're efficient at navigating through the lineup, it just felt like there would be one or two points with you where it might have gotten away. Is that something that you felt? Just how he was navigating the mound. He was efficient, but it just felt like maybe one or two moments in the game where it felt like things just either sped up or got away from it and asking if he felt that as well?

Translator: 一つ二つよくないポイントありましたがどう言うふうに切り抜けて？

Interpretation: one or two not good points, how did you turn the page?

Roki: 比較的全球種コントロールできたので、ゾーンの中で勝負できましたし。ランナー迎えた場面でもこう三回だて丁寧にインコースつけて５回までうまく投げれたのかなと思います。

Interpretation: Comparatively, all my pitches were in control and I was competing in the zone. In the third when I had some runners, I was careful inside and able to pitch well into the fifth.

Translator: My stuff was really good today. I was able to locate the ball rather well. Even the third inning, I was able to hit my spot, attack the zone and then I was able to navigate through you know five innings.

Kirsten: Considering what this year has looked like, is this kind of the best your stuff has felt right now?

Translator: 今日の試合を見て今までの一番良かった状態だったんでしょうか？

Interpretation: Was this your best condition of the year?

Roki: そうですね。今シーズンの中で良かった方だと思います。

Interpretation: Yes, I think this season it was on the better side.

Translator: Yeah, I mean in this season, yeah, I feel pretty good.

Reporter: What do you need to do to take the next step further?

Translator: 次より良くなるために何が必要でしょうか？

Interpretation: What do you need to do to get better?

Roki: そうですね、今日に関しては1巡目の攻め方は良かったと思いますけど。ただ、二巡目三巡目はもっと工夫が必要だったという風には感じました配球で。

Interpretation: Yes, Today, the first round attack was good I think. But, second and third time, I need to get better I felt about my pitch selection.

Translator: So first time through the order I was able to attack the hitters really well but second time through third time through my pitch selection was a little predictable, so I have to work on that.

Reporter: you seem better with your command and getting the ball in the zone, how do you translate that to better results overall?

Translator: コマンドだとかコントロールは良かったと思うんですけどもそれがいい結果につながるのでしょうかな？

Interpretation: Command and control were good, is that connecting to good results?

Roki: そうですね。自分のボールをまず操る配給がこうそう言った意味である程度計算できるボールが今日は多かったのでそういうのが続いていけば結果もどんどん良くなっていくと思います。去年良かったところしっかり振り返って。しっかりコントロール出来るようにしっかり継続できるようにしていきたいなと思います。

Interpretation: Yes, the ball I manipulate, my pitches were somewhat predictable or calculatable. If I can improve that my results will get better. I had a good postseason last year. I need to manage my control and continue that.

Translator: I'm able to hunt the ball better to mix more pitches as well so I'm just going to continue doing that.

Reporter: How much is learning to be less predictable about also about how to use the new pitch mix with the pitches you added?

Translator: どういうふうに配給をしたらよくなると言うか。読まれにくくなるていうか？

Interpretation: What do you need to do to improve the pitch selection? Make it difficult to read?

Roki: そこはま、僕だけじゃなくて、ピチンコーチやったりキャッチャーとも話し合いながら試合中に稽古を見ながら変わっていくものだと思うので。そこはこう…コミュニケーション取れたらいいなと思いますし。まずはこうしっかり要求に答えれる状態に毎試合毎試合その状態に持っていくことにもう必要な準備はあるのかなと思います。

Interpretation: That, not just me but the pitching coaches and catchers we are talking through out the game, looking at the game prep and it changes throughout the game. It is good to communicate there. First off, make sure I can respond to their demands in the right condition each game, each game I need to bring the right condition and preparation.

Translator: Yeah, so I think I have to talk pitching coaches and also catchers as well.

Roki: まずはキャッチャーのサインどおりに投げれるように。自分のボールをコントロールできる状態に準備することも引き続きやっていかなきゃいけない。

Interpretation: Need to make sure to follow the catcher’s signs. Also make sure to prepare myself to be in the condition to control my pitches continually.

Translator: So I have to get ready to throw the catcher’s call so I gotta work on it to be able to do that.

Reporter: Roki how close do you feel you are where you want to be as a major league pitcher?

Translator: 今メジャーリグの中でどのぐらい自分の理想の自分としてどのくらい近くまでいますか？

Interpretation: In the major leagues, are you your ideal self close right now?

Roki: いや、まだまだ、全然。全然程遠いと思っています。

Interpretation: Mmm, Not at all. Completely far off I think.

Translator: Yeah, I'm not, not where I want to be right now, so I got to go, you know, keep going.