Blake Snell, I just wanted one more chance to face the Dodgers lineup. With the World Series in play last October, Snell never got it. But he’ll see a lot of that lineup in the coming seasons as Parents ’new element, and needless to say, considering his personality never backs down, he’s looking forward to it.
“I can’t wait to play against the Dodgers“Snell said Wednesday, the day the Parents’ pitchers and receivers were reported at the Peoria Sports Complex.” They have incredible talent. We have incredible talent … It will be a lot of fun. Every game. “
Snell, of course, was eliminated from Game 6 of the World Series in the sixth inning while working on a whitewash. Two months later, he was transferred from Tampa Bay to San Diego in exchange for four prospects. As such, Wednesday acquired a “first day of class” atmosphere for Snell. He says it’s “terrible for names,” but there are at least some familiar faces in the clubhouse.
Snell was one of the three most important rotation acquisitions for the Fathers this winter, along with Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. If we consider Dinelson Lamet and Chris Paddack, Snell says he would take that rotation over anyone else in baseball, including the Dodgers.
“They have guys, so it’s going to be a lot of fun going against them,” Snell said. “But I’m picking on my team every time. I think we’re fine.”
Snell’s workload for the 2021 season was a major topic of conversation on Day 1. The 28-year-old left-hander won the American League’s Cy Young Award in 2018, but did so in 180 2 / 3 tickets, the maximum he has achieved. released in one season.
Coming out of a shortened 2020 season, Snell acknowledged its limitations and predicted between 150 and 180 entries – “and then the postseason”. This seems to be in line with what Parents are looking for. They have made it clear that they are going to Tractin their pitchers with caution from the start.
More notable, however, are the Parents ’game plans for Snell. Since his Cy Young Award-winning campaign, he has pitched beyond the sixth inning just twice. This is partly the product of a couple of injuries, but it is also an organizational principle.
The Parents, it seems, might be more open to using Snell beyond some of their previous limits.
“When he’s healthy, he’s right and everything is going well, he’s one of the best pitchers in the game,” manager Jayce Tingler said. “We have a lot of confidence that he will be able to do that. But that’s something we have to work on.”
Snell fully agrees with this plan. He expects a slow progression at the start of the season, but is also looking forward to the time when the reins are loose.
“I want to see what’s inside of me, and the only way to really see it is to delve deeper into the games,” Snell said. “When you start to get a little more tired and you have to fight some things and try to be great, I think that’s what excites me the most.”
Who knows? Maybe even do it against the Dodgers. I would certainly enjoy it.
“I know what that rivalry has been like,” Snell said. “I know he’s been a bit of a fighter lately, that … I’m here for all this.”
Snell joked that last spring he said “thank you” to the Red Sox when they switched to Mookie Betts from the Eastern American League. Now that he’s back sharing division with the Dodgers star right fielder, he said, “I take my thanks.”
Still, Snell made it clear that he is anxious for the challenge. He prefers the Dodgers to place a monster, because he prefers to beat a monster.
This winter, while the Parents and Dodgers exchanged moves, Snell was the first domino to fall. From the moment he landed in San Diego, he saw both clubs occupy the headlines. The Parents further improved their rotation with Darvish and Musgrove, then the Dodgers improved their with Trevor Bauer. The Parents signed Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar, then the Dodgers brought Justin Turner back. Both teams joined their bullpens.
“The Parents started fast, they threw some whips quickly,” Snell said. “Then the Dodgers, they went on with some big upsets too. It’s exciting. That’s what baseball is all about. Make the best team you can make and do everything you can to win.
“It’s going to be a fun series that everyone will want to see. That’s what it’s all about.”
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com