Los Angeles Dodgers' $182 million free-agent Blake Snell is slated to start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, aiming for postseason redemption, stating, "That's why I came here." His debut season was initially hampered by shoulder soreness, leading to a four-month injured list stint, but he rebounded to post a 2.35 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 61 ⅓ innings over nine starts, contributing to seven Dodgers wins. A two-time Cy Young winner with an 11.2 career K/9, Snell has faced criticism for not being a workhorse, never reaching 200 innings or six full frames in 10 playoff starts, and for high walk rates. He views his controversial 2020 World Series Game 6 exit as a valuable lesson, fueling his mission to become an October ace pitching deeper into games. His evolution includes a 2023 Cy Young (14-9, 2.25 ERA, averaging nearly six innings despite 99 walks) and significant growth with the Giants in 2024, where he learned efficiency from Logan Webb, culminating in a 1.23 ERA over his final 14 starts and his first career no-hitter against the Reds. Manager Dave Roberts praises Snell as a "next-level thinker," noting his improved form since injury, with a 2.41 ERA over his nine second-half starts and 28 strikeouts in his last 19 innings, reflecting Roberts' increased confidence in his efficiency during high-leverage situations.
