Dave Roberts Says Blake Snell’s Game 2 Struggles Were Not Groin-Related

Blake Snell did not look like himself during the Dodgers’ 3–2 loss to the Braves in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

The encouraging news is that Dave Roberts does not believe Snell’s previous groin injury was responsible.

Snell needed 90 pitches to record only 11 outs Sunday, allowing one run on three hits while walking five and striking out five. His inability to work deeper forced the Dodgers to use six relievers to cover the final 5⅓ innings.

After the game, Roberts attributed Snell’s struggles to problems with his delivery and command.

“He just was fighting himself with his delivery all game,” Roberts said.

Roberts added that Snell did not command his fastball or slider effectively and could not find his changeup.

“It wasn’t the groin. He just wasn’t sharp tonight,” Roberts said.

That distinction matters as the Dodgers continue their postseason run.

Snell Struggled From The Beginning

Snell’s command problems appeared immediately.

Ronald Acuña Jr. singled and stole second in the opening inning before Snell issued two walks to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón then drove in Atlanta’s first run with a two-out infield single.

Snell escaped without allowing additional damage, but the inning established what became a pattern throughout his start.

He repeatedly worked from behind in counts, struggled to put hitters away and allowed Atlanta to generate traffic without making consistent hard contact.

Snell ultimately limited the Braves to one run, but five walks drove his pitch count upward. Roberts removed him after his fifth walk on his 90th and final pitch of the night.

The result was an unusual situation in which the Dodgers effectively played a bullpen game despite entering with a two-time Cy Young Award winner on the mound.

Recent Workload May Explain The Rust

Although Roberts ruled out the groin as the source of Snell’s problems, the injury still affected his preparation leading into October.

Snell exited his September 16 start against Cincinnati after only one inning because of left-groin tightness. He returned September 26 against San Francisco, allowing one run across four innings while throwing 77 pitches.

That meant Snell entered Game 2 having completed only five competitive innings over the previous two and a half weeks.

He also received eight days of rest between his final regular-season appearance and Sunday’s start.

The Dodgers wanted Snell to make another appearance before the postseason specifically because they were concerned that an extended layoff could leave him insufficiently prepared for playoff competition.

His Game 2 performance demonstrated why that concern existed.

Snell appeared healthy enough to take the mound and maintain his velocity, but he lacked the consistent delivery and release point required to command his entire arsenal.

Health And Sharpness Are Separate Questions

Roberts’ explanation should ease fears that Snell aggravated his groin during the outing.

It does not mean the performance should be dismissed.

The Dodgers built their postseason rotation around the expectation that their starters could work deep enough to reduce pressure on a bullpen that has experienced injuries and uncertainty throughout the season.

Snell recording only 11 outs placed the relief corps in a difficult position, especially after Tarik Skubal had delivered six strong innings in Game 1.

The Dodgers managed to keep Game 2 close, but Atlanta eventually scored the decisive runs against Kris Bubic and Edgardo Henriquez.

There is an important difference between Snell being injured and Snell not being ready to pitch efficiently.

The first problem could remove him from the rotation. The second can potentially be corrected through bullpen work and mechanical adjustments—but it still matters in October.

Dodgers Need Snell Sharp If They Advance

Because the NLDS is now tied 1–1, Snell may not receive another start during this round.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to face Chris Sale in Game 3, while Tyler Glasnow is the likely choice for Game 4. Skubal would be positioned to return if the series requires a deciding Game 5.

That could leave Snell’s next opportunity for the National League Championship Series, provided the Dodgers advance.

The added time would give him an opportunity to work through the delivery problems Roberts identified, but the Dodgers will need more than physical availability from Snell moving forward.

They need the version who can command his fastball, land his breaking pitches and give the bullpen a shorter path to the final out.

Roberts’ update removes the most alarming explanation for what happened Sunday.

Snell was not struggling because his groin injury returned.

Now the Dodgers must make sure the command problems that replaced that concern do not follow him into his next postseason start.

Does Roberts’ explanation ease your concern about Snell, or did his Game 2 performance still change your confidence in him this October?