Blake Snell: From Cy Young to Dodgers’ Postseason Ace

Blake Snell is one of baseball’s most compelling left‐handed pitchers. After winning multiple Cy Young Awards and making waves in the American League, Snell’s move to the Los Angeles Dodgers has renewed attention on his talents. As the Dodgers battle through the postseason, Snell’s performances are center stage—especially in a high-stakes Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers matchup. In this post, we’ll trace Snell’s journey, analyze his 2025 season, and break down his recent showdown against the Brewers with context on Brewers score, Dodgers score, and key matchups.

The Rise of Blake Snell

Born December 4, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, Blake Ashton Snell made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Tampa Bay Rays. Over the years, he’s played for the Rays, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and now the Dodgers.

Snell has earned two Cy Young Awards (2018, 2023) and built a reputation for overpowering stuff, strong command, and flashes of brilliance. His career stats reflect both highs and stretches of adjustment, balancing dominant seasons with times of struggle.

The 2025 season was a notable chapter. After signing a big contract with the Dodgers in the offseason, Snell began on the injured list due to left shoulder inflammation, missing several months. When he returned around August, he gradually reclaimed form.

By season’s end, Snell posted a 5–4 win-loss record, with a 2.35 ERA and 72 strikeouts over his appearances. Those numbers don’t fully capture his impact, though—his postseason outings have been especially dominant.

One interesting stat: against the Dodgers (from his time before joining L.A.), Snell was 2–2 with a 2.62 ERA in 14 career appearances, tallying 86 strikeouts.

2025 Postseason & The Brewers Showdown

Game 1 NLCS: Snell’s Mastery

In Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series, the Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers—a team that swept L.A. in six games during the regular season.

Snell delivered a vintage postseason gem: eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit, with 10 strikeouts, and retiring the final 17 batters faced. His workload: 103 pitches.

Offensively, the Dodgers got on the board when Freddie Freeman smashed a solo home run in the 6th inning. Later, in the 9th, Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk (via a rare combination of pressure and perhaps Brewers’ bullpen miscue) to pad the lead.

The Brewers mounted a late rally: Jackson Chourio hit a sacrifice fly to bring them within one run, and with the bases loaded, things got tense. But Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen struck out Brice Turang with the bases loaded to seal a 2–1 victory.

A standout defensive moment also turned heads: with bases loaded and one out, the Brewers turned what looked like a Dodgers grand slam into an inning-ending double play, involving tricky ball handling, a wall bounce, and fast base running confusion.

That opening win put the Dodgers up 1–0 in the NLCS, despite their regular season struggles vs. Milwaukee.

Why This Matters

  • Snell’s dominance in Game 1 underscores why the Dodgers signed him so aggressively—his ability to rise in big postseason moments.
  • For U.S. fans tuning into Dodgers game today or checking Dodgers score, his outings give an anchor to the rotation.
  • Against a deep Brewers lineup (with hitters like Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Sal Frelick) and strong bullpen arms like Quinn Priester, Snell’s performance tipped the balance.

Matchups, Roster Notes & Supporting Cast

Brewers Offense & Threats

The Brewers boast a balanced, dangerous offense: Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Sal Frelick, Brice Turang all contribute. Their ability to manufacture runs makes them a tricky opponent even when facing elite pitching.

The double play in Game 1 was a showpiece of defensive awareness and opportunism—catcher Contreras and the infield made subtle but crucial plays.

On the mound, Quinn Priester is a key piece of Milwaukee’s staff and bullpen usage.

Dodgers Supporting Firepower

On offense, L.A.’s stars include Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Shohei Ohtani.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts has built a rotation and bullpen to lean on in high-leverage moments.

Veteran arms like Blake Treinen have been in pivotal roles. As noted, Treinen’s save in Game 1 came under intense pressure. Despite injury concerns this season, his experience is vital.

The Dodgers schedule in the postseason ensures every game carries weight, and batting order decisions, bullpen matchups, and game planning all hinge on matchups like Dodgers vs Brewers match player stats.

What U.S. Fans Should Watch

  • Streaming & Broadcasts: U.S. viewers can find Dodgers games (and the NLCS) on national networks and MLB’s broadcasting platforms.
  • Scoring updates: Keywords like “Dodgers score”, “Brewers score today”, or “brewers double play today” show up heavily during postseason coverage.
  • Game viewing: Search terms like “Dodgers game today”, “Dodgers schedule”, or “dodger game” are common.
  • Player stories: Beyond Snell, watching how Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Willson Contreras, Sal Frelick, and Treinen Dodgers perform adds narrative depth.
  • Match stats & play-by-play: For the analytically inclined fans, following Dodgers play by play and Milwaukee Brewers vs Dodgers match player stats in real time offers a rich experience.

Conclusion

Blake Snell’s journey has taken him from Rays and Padres to the spotlight in Los Angeles, and his 2025 campaign culminated in a postseason performance that may be seen as a career highlight. His Game 1 dominance in the Dodgers vs Brewers NLCS—alongside contributions from Freddie Freeman, Treinen, and a stacked Dodgers roster—puts L.A. in a commanding position.

For U.S. fans searching “dodgers score,” “brewers score today,” or following Snell’s every pitch, this postseason offers the kind of drama and excellence that defines legends. Whether you’re watching Dodgers games at home or tracking Dodgers schedule updates, Snell’s presence brings gravitas and excitement.

Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of Game 2 and beyond, or a preview of future pitching matchups in this series.

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