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Dave Roberts, Blake Snell lose after 7th-inning collapse

Blake Snell’s playoff run ended abruptly in a 6-2 loss for the Dodgers, as a late-game collapse cost him—and manager Dave Roberts—their best chance at salvaging the game. Snell, who had dominated the Brewers through six innings, allowed just one hit and struck out 14 in a row at one point, but his pitch count ballooned to 99 after walking Andrew Vaughn and facing Jake Bauers, who hit a go-ahead homer on the 11th pitch of the at-bat.

Roberts’ decision to keep Snell in against left-handed hitter Garrett Mitchell proved costly, as Mitchell hit back-to-back homers to extend the Brewers’ lead, mirroring a similar 2019 playoff meltdown for Roberts when Clayton Kershaw gave up back-to-back homers in a single inning. The Dodgers’ bullpen, already shaky in October, failed to contain the damage, allowing two more runs in the 8th and 9th innings.

Snell’s struggles in this start—his second playoff appearance—highlighted the Dodgers’ bullpen concerns, especially after Roberts relied on multiple starters in relief during last year’s World Series Game 7. With the Dodgers trailing 3-0 in the series, Snell’s performance raises questions about their ability to recover before the 2027 season, while also underscoring Roberts’ tendency to gamble on starters in high-pressure moments.

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