Dodgers Continue NLDS Rotation Surprises, Name Blake Snell Game 2 Starter

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced lefty Blake Snell will start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

The Dodgers are going leftyThe Dodgers are going lefty-heavy right off the bat, with Skubal starting Game 1 and Snell following it up with Game 2.

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This will free up Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start in Game 3 or possibly even Game 4 if they want to preserve their workhorse ace.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior have been trying to balance matchups, given that the Braves are bad against lefties, and make sure the usage isn’t overbearing.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“I think it’s a good process, appreciating that the most important thing is this series right now. But if you have talented arms at your disposal, it’s prudent to map out potentially how they could line up. That’s just doing your due diligence,” Roberts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.

class="wp-block-paragraph">“We are very fortunate because we have four guys essentially that you can really pick through to figure out the best way to deploy all four starters. That’s the exercise. But it starts with having four talented guys.”

Blake Snell’s journey to OctoberBlake Snell, also a two-time Cy Young winner, made only nine appearances this year but proved his value after returning from the injured list.

class="wp-block-paragraph">He spent the first month or so of the season on the injured list with shoulder fatigue, then returned to the IL after just one start, during which he allowed four earned runs in three innings pitched, with loose bodies in his elbow.

Sep 11, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) catches a baseball against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesAfter returning from revolutionary surgery to remove the loose bodies, Snell looked much more like himself.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Over his final eight starts, Snell allowed just five earned runs through 39.2 innings pitched, striking out 50 batters.

class="wp-block-paragraph">If he can maintain that form in the postseason, he will be a key starter in the Dodgers’ rotation.

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