Snell to start Game 3 at Petco Park
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LOS ANGELES -- On Friday night, when the Padres play their first playoff game before fans at Petco Park in 16 years, it will be Blake Snell who takes the ball first.
Manager Bob Melvin officially confirmed Snell as the Padres Game 3 starter on Tuesday afternoon, as the Padres plan to stay on turn in their starting rotation. That leaves right-hander Joe Musgrove to start a potential Game 4 on Saturday, if necessary.
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The move doesn't come as much of a surprise. Snell struggled in his Game 2 outing against the Mets on Saturday night, but he was excellent during the second half of the season, posting a 2.19 ERA.
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Including a pair of postseason starts, Snell owns a 2.54 ERA across 11 outings against Los Angeles. Of course, in his most recent postseason start against the Dodgers, Snell was pitching scoreless ball when he got an infamous quick hook from Rays manager Kevin Cash in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series.
With Snell lined up for Game 3 -- and presumably Musgrove for Game 4 -- it's unclear who might start Game 5, should the two teams split their first four games. Mike Clevinger would be in line to get the ball, or the Padres could turn to Yu Darvish on three days' rest -- something Darvish has never done in his career.
The Dodgers have not yet announced their rotation beyond Clayton Kershaw in Game 2.