I expect Sasaki to be one of the more dominant pitchers in the National League pretty much right away. He knows this ballpark very well and nothing has ever phased this kid. I don't expect this moment to be too big for him. Justin Steele is no slouch either, but the Dodgers still have the more formidable lineup even without Betts and perhaps Freeman again.

The Chicago offense looked pretty bad in losing today's opener 4-1 in Tokyo. I honestly would not have played Dodgers ML had I known that both Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were out for LA. Betts is sick and for sure won't play Wednesday. Freeman was scratched before the game with a rib issue he felt in BP. So why would the Dodgers even risk it Wednesday? Let him get right ahead of the USA opener next week. Plus, the Dodgers are facing a good lefty anyways in Justin Steele. LA also used pretty much all its key relievers on Tuesday (with two other key ones on injured reserve). Maybe Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki has some nerves in his MLB debut.