LOS ANGELES — From highly-touted arrival to Roki sensation, the Dodgers are just now receiving top results from their newest Japanese star.

Roki Sasaki has settled nicely into the closer’s role for a team that has endured bullpen angst this season. Sasaki, who began the year as a starter, entered Friday’s Game 4 series-clinching victory for the Dodgers with a 1.29 ERA and three saves in as many opportunities in six relief appearances this postseason. He recorded the final three outs in a non-save situation to send the Dodgers back to the World Series.

The Dodgers began grooming Sasaki for the role after his late-September return, following 4 ½ months on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement.

As a starter, the 23-year-old Sasaki pitched to a 4.72 ERA in eight appearances.

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