Blake Snell said on September 25, 2026, that his final tune-up before the Division Series was important after a long layoff and that he would use the next week to improve his consistency.
Snell, who pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, evaluated his outing as inconsistent but encouraging because he found ways to stay in the zone and learn from it. “I got a week to do so,” Snell said of using the time before the Division Series to work on his body, catching work, bullpens and throwing consistency.
Snell identified execution issues that included missing up and away, an 88-mph changeup and an inconsistent curveball release. He stated that he had gone about 10 days without pitching, adding, “the speed was up to 88. Like I I got to fix that as well. Get that to 86.”
Snell explained that pitching was necessary after limited work and helped him get his legs back under him: “it was definitely needed to pitch today.” He also said he had moved past his groin issue after feeling no symptoms during the outing, stating, “I didn't feel it at all today.”
When discussing defensive challenges, Snell said he must get over to first base and do his job: “you still got to, you know, get over do your job.” He also jokingly accepted an obvious answer when asked which brother was older, responding, “come on, man. You know the answer.”
Snell planned to prepare for the Division Series during the week before it, with the stated focus on improving his body, catching work, bullpens and throwing consistency.