What a difference a day makes, right? While everyone was busy watching Craig Stammen somehow fumble the Padres’ super bullpen on Sunday,seriously, that was almost criminal mismanagement,the Dodgers were busy snatching defeat from the jaws of a series that was supposed to be all theirs. This NLDS, which felt like it was all but handed to them, just became a dogfight. They coughed up home-field advantage in Game 2, and honestly, the biggest question now is: what is going on with Blake Snell?
Three Straight Playoff Duds: When Does the Criticism Start?
Talk about a recurring nightmare. Dodgers fans know the phrase “Playoff Kershaw” and how much it rankles, whether fair or not. But at least Kershaw wasn’t consistently awful, and other guys like Jack Flaherty and Bobby Miller either had passable moments or didn’t get endless chances. Not so with Blake Snell. After Game 2’s absolutely execrable performance, Snell has officially laid an egg in his last *three consecutive* postseason starts.
Let’s just look at these pitching lines:
* Game 1, 2025 World Series: L, 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, HR
* Game 5, 2025 World Series: L, 6 2/3 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 2 HR, 2 WP
* Game 1, 2026 NLDS: ND, 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 BB, 5 K
Those are some brutal numbers. Sure, he pitched 1 1/3 IP in Game 7 of the World Series and didn’t give up five runs *this* time, but let’s be real, that’s likely because Dave Roberts mercifully pulled the plug on his night. He nearly coughed up what would have been Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s last home run at Rogers Centre until Game 150 of the 2026 campaign during that relief appearance. At this point, Snell is probably done for the rest of this series, and frankly, that’s probably for the best.
Echoes of 2022 and a Dogfight Ahead
The whole vibe of Game 2 just screams deja vu. A left-handed starter underperforming, the offense looking flat, and home-field advantage just gone. Sound familiar? It totally brings back memories of Game 2 in the infamous 2022 NLDS, where a hungry opponent completely outplayed a suddenly flat Dodgers squad. You’ve got Robert Suarez out there shoving with the game on the line for the Padres, and the Dodgers are letting this series become way harder than it needed to be.
This series, against the Atlanta Braves, was supposed to be the “easy” side of the bracket, almost a guaranteed ticket through. Now? It’s a full-blown dogfight, and the Dodgers have to figure out how to get that home-field back. With Snell likely out of the picture for a bit, they’ve got to find some answers, fast. It’s gonna be a grind, and every pitch from here on out is gonna matter.
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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