Blake Snell's Next Move: Live Updates on the Cy Young Ace's Free Agency Saga

LOS ANGELES — All eyes were on Blake Snell Wednesday night as the $182 million left-hander took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a pivotal World Series Game 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays. The two-time Cy Young Award winner entered the start intent on silencing critics after surrendering four runs in Game 1, but an electric Dodger Stadium crowd instead witnessed a shaky first inning that reignited questions about the ace’s postseason consistency. Toronto ambushed Snell immediately: leadoff hitter Davis Schneider drilled the left-hander’s very first pitch over the left-field wall, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with another towering homer two pitches later, marking the first time in Fall Classic history that a team opened a game with back-to-back blasts off the same pitcher. Snell settled down to complete five innings of three-run ball, striking out seven, but the early damage proved decisive in the Dodgers’ 4-3 defeat that now sends the series back to Canada with Los Angeles trailing 3-2. After the game, Snell emphasized accountability. “I missed locations, and good hitters punished me,” he said. “I’ve been in this spot before, and I’ll be ready if they hand me the ball again.” Manager Dave Roberts echoed that confidence, suggesting the club hasn’t lost faith in the southpaw who posted a 2.71 ERA over 31 regular-season starts. The Dodgers signed Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal last November, making the former Padres star the highest-paid pitcher in franchise history at the time. The front office viewed him as the missing October weapon after consecutive early postseason exits, but Snell’s Dodgers playoff résumé now shows a 5.93 ERA through four starts. Snell’s next appearance would likely come in a do-or-die Game 7 on short rest, a scenario he publicly endorsed following the loss. “If it’s 48 hours’ notice or 24, I’ll take the ball,” he told reporters, noting that he prepared all season for high-stress innings. Beyond the mound, Snell continues to cultivate a strong social-media presence, streaming video-game sessions and interacting with fans between starts—a strategy marketing analysts say boosts both personal brand value and team visibility in the lucrative Southern California market. Key Stat Line • 1st inning pitches: 12 • Fastball velocity: 95.8 mph average • Swing-and-miss rate: 32 % • Postseason ERA (2025): 5.93 What’s Next The Dodgers fly to Toronto needing back-to-back wins to claim their second title in five seasons. If the series reaches Game 7, Snell could etch his name in franchise lore—or face a winter of scrutiny. Either way, the narrative around Blake Snell and his blockbuster contract will dominate baseball headlines until the final out.