In Major League Baseball (MLB), individual performances and game results dominate the attention of fans, as well as those who cover or express an interest in the sport. Blake Snell was the star of today’s slate and we also have the nightcap from between Giants/Braves. Complete coverage of Blake Snell’s gem and the final score from Giants-Braves with analysis of all the biggest moments.
Snell’s Pitching Mastery
One of the more interesting pitchers to watch this season has been southpaw and ace for the San Diego Padres, Blake Snell. That skill was on full display in today’s game.
Snell overpowered the Nationals from his very first pitch of the game as he had full command with every weapon in his arsenal: fastball, curveball and a newly-added slider.
Snell racked up plenty of strikeouts, as well — and none bigger than the strikes he got after throwing his slider all night.
Key Statistics and Highlights
The last line on a page of Snell stats
Innings Pitched: 7.0
Strikeouts: 10
Earned Runs: 1
Hits Allowed: 4
That is how good Snell can be when he takes the mound against an opposing lineup. The most important of those 1-2-3 innings came in the sixth when he struck out Tyler Austin, Franklin Barreto and Sam Travis as part of a perfect frame.
Impact on the Padres’ Season
Snell’s form is a huge lift for the Padres as they make their way through towards the back end of an extended season. His consistent quality starts are crucial to a team that leans on its pitching so heavily.
Not just to improve the reputation of Snell, but also in order that it should be better able to pad his stats and on-base percentage.
Giants vs. Braves: Game Recap
The story of the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves was an exciting back-and-forth battle that, for most, probably went as soon or sooner than anticipated. The big money drama of the night did not disappoint, as both teams had a lot on the line going into this one. On the other side of things, were the hot-hitting Braves against an all-in Giants team.
The key play came in the eighth, and like it has been so often this postseason for SoDo Mojo teams, defense was their downfall. The mistake allowed the Braves to score two runs which was enough of a margin in the final outcome.
Though the Giants had stayed within shouting distance, that gap wasn’t large enough for them to overcome when their defense took just one inning off and allowed three runs on five hits in the third.
Final Score
Atlanta’s win was fueled by big days at the plate for some of their biggest bats along with pitching moves that minimized what damage San Francisco hitters could do. In terms of the victory, The Braves bullpen helped save this lead.
This game has major ramifications for the outcomes of both teams. The win all but ensures the Braves will remain a solid bet to make noise in the postseason, while also making it tougher on themselves down the stretch as they look for another run at playoff baseball.
The win helps the Braves’ quest for their second straight National League East Division title.
What Blake Snell did today is show what elite pitching looks like as he mowed through the lineup with an impressive mix of pinpoint command and pure filth.
The Giants vs. Braves game, meanwhile, was simply the best example you could pull out of how minutes teams get in baseball: a competitive battle until the very end (though foreshadowed by Freeman’s homer off Sergio Romo).
The brilliance of Snell, and all the other factors at play in this season — like how truly unpredictable baseball can be with regard to wins, losses or performances.