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The Dodgers outsmarted themselves

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ path to a championship has hit a frustrating detour after a pair of consecutive postseason struggles from ace pitcher Blake Snell derailed their commanding series lead. Snell’s latest outing in Game 2 of the NLDS was particularly dismal, allowing three earned runs in just 3 ⅓ innings while walking five batters—a performance that follows two other poor starts in the 2025 World Series and another shaky appearance in Game 1 of this year’s NLDS.

The Dodgers’ bullpen, already under scrutiny, failed to capitalize on Snell’s early exit, leaving the team vulnerable in a game they should have controlled. Meanwhile, the team’s offense has struggled to deliver in high-leverage moments, echoing the frustrations of their 2022 playoff collapse when a hungrier opponent seized the moment.

With Snell likely sidelined for the remainder of the series, the Dodgers now face an uphill battle to reclaim home-field advantage after squandering a two-game lead in the NLDS. The contrast with their rivals, who have turned a tight series into a potential rout, underscores how quickly momentum can shift in October—especially when key pitchers falter and bullpen mismanagement comes into play.

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