Blake Snell just wrapped up his final regular season tune-up on Saturday night, dealing four shutout innings against the Giants, striking out three, and not giving up a single walk in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win. This wasn’t just another start; it was Snell’s first time back on the mound since exiting early on September 16 against the Reds, and it’s got everyone looking at October with a whole new level of anticipation.
Snell’s Groin Is Gone, His Velo Is Back, and the League Should Be Scared
Let’s be real, seeing Snell get pulled early against the Reds was a gut punch for Dodgers fans. But Saturday? That was a straight-up declaration that this dude is ready to pitch deep into October. He was limited to less than half the game, sure, but the results were undeniable. Snell himself sounded pumped, saying he was “really encouraged by it” and “just happy to get my legs underneath and get going and completely move past the groin.” He even noted the “velo was good” even if he felt “inconsistent” with his body. The best part? He’s got a whole week of rest coming to “perfect his craft.” When a pitcher like Snell feels good and has time to dial it in, that’s a problem for every other team. He’s found his rhythm at the absolute perfect time.
Ohtani’s Heating Up, Plus Two Bullpen Bombshells for October
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani has been “decent” in his four games since coming off the injured list, but manager Dave Roberts is sending out all the right signals. Roberts said he hopes Ohtani’s recent plate discipline, like taking a first-pitch slider from Robbie Ray for a ball, is “a sign of things to come.” He knows that “hair on fire, swinging and chasing” isn’t the way to “make a living,” so Ohtani’s smarter approach is a huge boost.
And don’t sleep on the bullpen. Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott are officially “lock-ins” for the postseason. Sasaki wants to “revamp his ferocity,” which is a terrifying thought for opposing hitters. Scott is just ready to make his “first big statement” with the Dodgers. His mentality is exactly what you want heading into the win-or-go-home phase: “October is about winning every single game. It really doesn’t matter what roles you get asked to do. Just go out there and do it.” That’s the kind of fire that wins games.
The Dodgers wrap up their regular season Sunday afternoon against the Giants, gunning for their 100th win, a feat they haven’t hit since 2023. With Snell feeling right, Ohtani getting locked in, and the bullpen studs ready to roll, the next few weeks are going to be electric. Get ready, baseball world, because the Dodgers are coming for everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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