Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell has continued his domination since coming back from the injured list, and he thinks it will only get better.
Snell had seven strikeouts, four hard hits, and four hits allowed, along with a walk in a shutout six-inning start against the Washington Nationals.
His ERA is at 0.93 since coming off the injured list with left elbow surgery, and he looks like the best pitcher on the roster right now in terms of stuff and command.
Skubal has arguably reached some higher peaks of pitching, but nothing has been sustained as a Dodger thus far, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been prone to some slugging recently.
Snell has been the most impressive out of the bunch over the last month, and at this point, it looks like he would be the Game 1 starter for a postseason series.
Why Blake Snell Believes He Can Improve
Snell thinks he can better command his pitches, and he’s frustrated that he misses his spots at times.
“The fastball location is getting better. I got to move it around more. So I’m looking forward to doing that, land curveballs a little more in the zone,” Snell said.
“And I just can’t be walking guys that I know I can get out. Just got to get ahead, quit trying to be so perfect, and just attack, get ahead.
“Going six is cool, and that’s a good starting point. I really want to go seven, eight, and I want to get to nine. So for me to do that, I’ve got to locate the fastball more, throw more strikes, and get early contact for outs.
“Overall, though, a lot of weak contact. So happy about that, but I can still execute a lot better.”
What to Watch in Blake Snell’s Next Start
The curveball and changeup had more horizontal break than his season’s average by a couple of inches on Friday night, and his fastball had some more movement as well.
Snell’s focus is on the fastball, which should be better located as he proceeds, according to the big lefty.
“I can locate the fastball in, out, up, down. I think I could do that better. Right now, I’m just missing. I’m around the zone, but just missing. I think I could be even better,” Snell said.
“So I’ve got another week ahead of me of really good practice and focus, a great catch, and getting my body into great positions so I can repeat it. I like where I’ll be.”
Snell looks like he is close to his Cy Young best, wher ehe is one of the most dominant pitchers in the sport.
