MLB Roundtable: Dodgers and Cubs Are Off to Great Start, But What Are the Deficiencies?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been as advertised out of the gate, and the Chicago Cubs are on a heater, winning each of their last 10 games. In fact, the two teams are in the midst of a three-game series in Los Angeles. Catch Game 2 of the series on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET on FOX.

But what should we take from the two teams’ respective hot starts?

Thanks to injury, 2025 rookie Roki Sasaki has just 54 regular-season innings under his belt as well as another 10.2 in the postseason. While his ERA was sparkling out of the bullpen, he still struck out just six batters and walked five, and similar troubles persist in 2026. How long can the Dodgers stick with Sasaki in the rotation if his control and command issues continue?

Rowan Kavner: Theyre intent on letting him work out his issues in the big leagues, despite the control problems that persist. They can survive Sasakis volatility when Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow are excelling atop the rotation — combined, that trio has a 1.91 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 18 walks this year — and when Justin Wrobleski is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA as the teams sixth starter. 

Despite Sasakis unseemly 6.11 ERA and 1.87 WHIP, the Dodgers have the best starters ERA and WHIP in the National League. Those numbers should get even better when Blake Snell returns sometime next month. 

So, while I think Sasaki should either be in the bullpen or in the minors in a more controlled environment working on his erratic command and the development of his third pitch, it doesnt sound like that will happen. Even when Snell is activated, the Dodgers, at least right now, are saying Sasaki wont go to the bullpen. The control issues are concerning and ongoing, but at least holding his velocity in the upper-90s and missing more bats than he did last year. 

With top pitching prospect River Ryan currently on the shelf with a hamstring issue (and with the Dodgers being careful about Ryans innings after he missed last year recovering from Tommy John surgery), there arent a lot of obvious alternatives knocking down the door at the moment. 

Deesha Thosar: The Dodgers have the type of depth that other executives dream about, making it a no-brainer to let Sasaki work out his troubles and give him a long leash, at that. Its not like Sasaki is that much of a detriment that hes throwing the Dodgers bullpen out of whack. Though hes allowed multiple runs in his last three starts, and is having trouble issuing walks, hes averaging four-plus innings pitched each time out, which is manageable for now. 

In the meantime, Los Angeles can figure out whether Sasaki bel