The Phillies enter the unknown on Saturday with Roki Sasaki, as the Japanese phenom has just two starts to his name in the major leagues.

The results have been mixed thus far, as Sasaki has thrown just 4.2 innings in his two starts (one of which was in the Opening Series in Japan in mid-March). There has been a significant amount of intrigue regarding Sasaki, as the Dodgers' prodigy hasn't shown what he's capable of in such a short sample size. 

"I know he's got great stuff," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said prior to Saturday's showdown with the Dodgers. "Evidently, he's had some issues with control and command. I think (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto had some issues with that in his first two starts last year, and he took off. This guy's got good stuff. We'll just have to play it by ear and see what we've got."

Sasaki is just 23 years old and has a four-seam fastball, slider, split finger and curveball in his arsenal. He has thrown his four-seam fastball 59.8% of the time, his split finger 24.8%, and his slider 15.4%. Teams have hit .308 off his fastball, but have no hits off his other pitches (only four at-bats). 

The Phillies have been preaching patience with Sasaki, who has nine walks on the young season. They are fourth in baseball in walk rate at 11.2%. 

"So far we've done a pretty good job with that," Thomson said. "We've been one of the better teams in baseball so far. We've shown that in spring training, too. These guys with good stuff, we gotta really look into the strike zone."

The Phillies, like the majority of baseball, were interested in Sasaki when he decided to move overseas to pitch in Major League Baseball. Sasaki posted a 2.35 ERA, struck out 129 and walked 32 in 111 innings for Chiba Lotte Marines in the Japan Pacific League last season.

"I know the stuff is big. I like watching talent," Thomson said while smiling. "Sometimes you rather watch it on TV than live." 

Ranger Suarez update

Thomson said Suarez threw live batting practice on Friday. The 2024 All-Star starter threw 34 pitches with "outstanding command" in the first inning, which Thomson also said was "really, really good." Suarez used all his pitches, and his breaking ball was good in the two innings he pitched. 

Suarez is currently on the 10-day injured list with lower back soreness, as Taijuan Walker has started in his place. The Phillies will make a decision on the next steps for Suarez over the next couple of days.