Blake Snell, nearing 34 years old, has made it crystal clear he wants to solidify his Hall of Fame case by absolutely crushing it in postseason play. That desire, plain and simple, played a huge role in him signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s not like the Dodgers *needed* him to get into October, but his impact in these crucial games could be massive. Now, heading into Game 2 of the NLDS against the Braves, Snell is stepping onto the mound with more than just a series lead on his mind.
October Is Snell’s Time To Shine
This is Snell’s second season with the Dodgers, and it’s been a bit of a pattern: some missed time during the regular year, but full availability when the playoffs roll around. Honestly, it’s wild how much he’s been a playoff guy for them. Roughly one out of every four innings Snell has thrown in a Dodger uniform has come in the playoffs. We’re talking 24.64 percent, to be exact! While last season’s World Series had its struggles for him, Snell was lights-out for the better part of the 2025 playoffs. Now, he’s just one win away from tying his entire career postseason victory total (four wins) from before he even joined Los Angeles. That’s a serious milestone and shows just how much he’s focused on building that legacy now.
Game 2 Pressure Cooker For Snell And The Braves
Snell isn’t just facing any team; he’s staring down an Atlanta squad that just got absolutely bullied by another left-handed star pitcher in Game 1. Their backs are against the wall, trying to avoid an 0-2 series deficit. Think about it: they’ve had one day off after three straight games, and they were trailing for most of Game 1. Logically, the Braves decided to save their top relievers in that series opener. So, regardless of what Atlanta plans for Game 2, the Dodgers know they’re facing a superior level of pitching this time around, which inevitably cranks up the pressure on Snell’s performance. It’s No. 2 seed Dodgers versus the No. 3 seed Braves, Los Angeles up 1-0, all going down at Dodger Stadium tonight at 5:03 p.m. TV coverage is on FS1, with Joe Davis, John Smoltz, and Ken Rosenthal on the call.
Snell has a chance to grab that fifth postseason win, tie his pre-Dodgers total, and push his club to a commanding 2-0 series lead. All eyes will be on him to deliver when it matters most, further cementing that Hall of Fame resume he’s chasing.
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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