Blake Snell wasn’t ready to hand over the baseball. It was one of those nights at Dodger Stadium where everything — from the electricity in the air to the crackling fastball coming out of Snell’s hand — just felt like something special was brewing. And sure enough, by the end of the night, it wasn’t just a 5-0 Dodgers win over the Phillies — it was Blake Snell’s show, top to bottom.
Roberts Hits the Mound, Snell Stands His Ground
Seventh inning. Two outs. Dodgers up 3-0. Snell had already thrown 107 pitches. Most managers would’ve had the hook ready. And Dave Roberts? He started walking out to the mound, cueing the usual pitching change script. Alex Vesia was warmed up, locked in, ready to come in and get the final out.
You could see it right there in the middle of the diamond: the mound conference that turned into a negotiation. Snell, with that fire in his eyes, told Roberts he wanted it. And instead of pulling the plug, Roberts handed him the keys to finish what he started.
A Statement Strikeout to Seal the Deal
What came next? Just a little 97-mph heat, a devastating changeup, and a surgical strikeout of Otto Kemp with runners on first and second. No panic, no slip-up, just pure domination. And that fist pump from Snell as he walked off? That was emotion, baby. That was a veteran telling the whole league: “I’m still that guy.”
Twelve strikeouts. Two hits. Zero runs. And one unforgettable moment that reminded everyone why Blake Snell has two Cy Youngs on his shelf.
Dodgers’ Rotation Gets a Spark at the Right Time
Look, this Dodgers rotation has had its share of ups and downs, but if Snell is back to this level of intensity and execution? Whew. That’s a scary sight for October baseball.
The Dodgers didn’t just win a game on Wednesday night — they unleashed a flamethrower.
