The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t officially reveal Blake Snell to be their Game 1 starter for the National League Wild Card Series until he walked into the interview room before Monday’s workout at Dodger Stadium.
Though, it was strongly implied by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at the conclusion of the regular season, and the assignment was one Snell had long been aware of.
“I found out a while ago,” he said. “I’m excited. There’s no better feeling than being in Game 1, starting it off. And the goal is to get us off to a good start, a win and go from there.”
Tuesday is going to mark Snell’s 13th career playoff game and 12th start. He previously started a Game 1 three times for the Tampa Bay Rays, with each instance coming during the 2020 postseason.
Snell was traded to the San Diego Padres that winter but didn’t return to the playoffs until 2022. He made one start against the Dodgers during the Padres’ NL Division Series triumph but has yet to return to the World Series.
Snell remained with the Padres in 2023 and spent last season with the San Francisco Giants. During an introductory press conference after signing with the Dodgers, he cited wanting to win a World Series as one of the motivating factors behind his decision in free agency.
“The only reason I came here was to pitch in October and to really challenge myself personally and see how good I am, face the best when the stakes are the highest,” Snell reiterated.
“That’s what I’ve always wanted. I couldn’t be more excited to be in this position.”
While Dodgers are in the midst of a postseason streak that’s now reached 13 consecutive seasons, getting to this point wasn’t an easy feat for Snell on a personal level. He made just two starts before going on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation and wound up missing four months.
“Those four months were tough, man. It was a lot of work. A lot of back and forth, trying to push, trying to be smart at the same time,” he recalled. “Those four months were tough. I might not have pitched, but, man, it was a lot. It was a lot.
“To be where I’m at now, I’m very thankful and appreciative of everything that I went through to get there. But I feel like I’m still getting better and I’m still learning more and more.”
Blake Snell anticipates ‘chess match’ with Reds
Snell’s only career no-hitter came against the Reds during the 2024 season, but it’s not a result he’s leaning on heading into Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
“It’s so long ago. They’ve changed, I’ve changed, a lot’s changed,” he said. “And this is a postseason game, so stakes are higher. It’s going to be an exciting game, a chess match. They’ve got good hitters, guys that are hot. So I’m excited to see the matchup and how it plays out.”
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