The Los Angeles Dodgers’ blockbuster bet on Blake Snell paid off in spectacular fashion as the lefty ace dominated the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, delivering a postseason performance that had Dodger Stadium roaring and the baseball world buzzing.
Snell’s October Redemption: Six Shutout Innings and a Career-High Changeup
Blake Snell, now 32, pitched deeper into October than ever before, tossing six shutout innings and tying his postseason career high with nine strikeouts. Five of those came via his devastating changeup, which kept the Reds’ young hitters off balance all night. Reds manager Terry Francona summed up the challenge:
“He’d throw one that was 87 [mph] and one that was 82. And then you throw a 97 [mph fastball] in there and it becomes difficult.”Snell’s ability to vary speeds and sequence pitches was on full display, drawing 15 swing-and-misses on the changeup alone—a personal best for any start in his career. The Dodgers’ offense backed him up with a home run barrage, building a 10-2 lead by the seventh inning and putting the game out of reach.
From Rocky Start to October Hero: Snell’s Tumultuous 2025
This dominant outing comes after a rollercoaster year for Snell. After signing a massive five-year,
$182 million deal with the Dodgers last offseason—a contract loaded with deferrals and a
$52 million signing bonus—expectations were sky-high. But Snell’s season began with struggles: he allowed more than a run per inning over his first six starts and landed on the injured list twice in the first three months due to groin discomfort.
By mid-June, many doubted whether Snell would live up to his Cy Young pedigree. Yet, as the season wore on, he found his rhythm, and the Dodgers’ faith in his postseason pedigree proved prescient.
Dodgers’ Big Bet: The Anatomy of Snell’s Mega-Deal
The Dodgers’ five-year pact with Snell, negotiated by the Boras Corporation, includes
$65 million in deferred money and limited no-trade protection, but no opt-outs—locking Snell in through his age-36 season. The deal was the biggest move of the 2024-25 offseason and signaled LA’s win-now mentality.
Snell’s journey to LA was anything but straightforward. After winning his second Cy Young Award with the Padres, he endured a slow free agency before signing a short-term deal with the Giants, then opting out after one season to join the Dodgers.
What’s Next: Dodgers Eye Deep Playoff Run
With Snell leading the rotation and the Dodgers’ offense firing on all cylinders, LA looks poised for a deep postseason run. Snell’s Game 1 gem not only set the tone for the Wild Card Series but also reminded fans why the Dodgers made him one of the highest-paid pitchers in baseball.
As the series shifts and the stakes rise, all eyes will be on Snell to see if he can continue his October magic—and help deliver another championship to Los Angeles.
Sources
1. Dodgers win behind dominant Snell, HR barrage
2. Dodgers Sign Blake Snell To Five-Year Deal - MLB Trade Rumors
3. Blake Snell on getting ready for series with Philly - MLB.com
4. Blake Snell's fastball velocity down in loss to D-backs - MLB.com
5. 2025 Wild Card: Blake Snell excited to start Game 1 for Dodgers
6. Blake Snell Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
7. Blake Snell joins MLB Tonight | 10/01/2025 | Los Angeles Dodgers
8. Hour 3 – Blake Snell Became a Dodger Tonight! - Fox Sports Radio
9. Dodgers avoid shutout, but get swept by Pirates - True Blue LA
10. Revisiting the Blake Snell trade after his second Cy Young season
11. Red Sox Smash Or Pass: Free Agent Blake Snell | Over the Monster
