Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds was supposed to be a celebration for the Dodgers. Instead, it turned into a nightmare: Blake Snell exited after just 19 pitches with left groin tightness, and the team left Great American Ball Park with a tough 6-2 loss, still one win shy of clinching the National League West. That champagne is definitely on ice, but honestly, the division title waiting game is secondary to what went down with Snell.
Snell’s Groin Grab: October’s Biggest Question Mark?
Talk about a gut punch. Snell, a key lefty in the rotation, felt a “grab” in his groin on the second-to-last pitch of his bullpen session before the game even started. You know that feeling, that sudden jolt? He literally felt it. He tried to power through in the first inning, giving it everything, but the issue just wouldn’t get better. Snell himself said, “I felt good all day and then the second to last pitch of the bullpen, I threw a slider and I felt a grab.” He was trying to be a warrior out there. “I was gonna try to get through five, but I just knew I didn’t have a good shot of doing that and remaining healthy,” he explained. The dude has history with groin issues, but the Dodgers thought he was clear coming into this one. While Snell thinks this injury isn’t as bad as past problems, and he wants to see how he feels in the next couple days, manager Dave Roberts isn’t taking any chances. Another start for Snell is still on the table, but Roberts made it clear: Snell cannot afford another setback before October. “I like where his head is at, but he just can’t afford any more setbacks,” Roberts stated. This is the definition of high stakes for any team gearing up for the postseason.
Missed Chances Galore as Reds Pull Away
Beyond the Snell injury, the game itself was a clinic in missed opportunities. The Dodgers’ 92-60 record looks great on paper, but they couldn’t seal the deal. Will Smith did put them up early in the third with an RBI double, but that lead lasted about five minutes. Elly De La Cruz crushed a two-run homer off Seth Halvorsen in the bottom of the third, and just like that, the Reds were up 2-1 and never gave it back. The Dodgers kept fighting, but they just couldn’t cash in. They went a brutal 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, leaving a mind-boggling 12 baserunners stranded. Think about that: 12 guys just chilling on base while the team needed a hit. Mookie Betts was a lone bright spot at the plate, going 3-for-4, and Kris Bubic actually delivered a clean eighth inning in his debut. But ultimately, the night was defined by Snell’s health and the huge missed chance to celebrate.
The Dodgers still need one more win for that NL West title. Thursday brings another shot, with Justin Wrobleski scheduled to start and Landon Knack handling a chunk of the game behind him. Let’s hope they lock it down, because this whole Snell situation is going to be the absolute biggest storyline heading into the playoffs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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