Dodgers, on the brink of clinching the NL West, now have another injury to worry about with Blake Snell

In the hours leading up to the first pitch of a crucial game, the Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves on the brink of securing their 13th NL West division title. With a magic number of just one, the only way to clinch the division was either for Los Angeles to defeat Cincinnati or for San Diego to lose to the Rockies. However, their celebrations would be postponed as Blake Snell, the team's ace pitcher, left the game after just one inning due to left groin tightness.

This is not the first time Snell has faced issues with his left groin; he has been sidelined in 2021, 2022, and twice in 2024 due to either a left groin strain or a left adductor strain. Despite his willingness to play through the discomfort, Snell decided to pull out of the game after the first inning, opting for precaution rather than risking further injury. The severity of the injury remains uncertain, with the team taking a wait-and-see approach as to how Snell feels over the next couple of days.

The loss of Snell's services further complicates the Dodgers' path to a three-peat, as they heavily rely on their pitching staff to carry them through the postseason. Currently, the team is without reliever Roki Sasaki, who is sidelined with a blister issue, and is expected to move into a relief role if he returns. Additionally, the Dodgers have been dealing with a host of injuries among their star players, including Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, and Edgardo Henriquez.

These factors highlight the challenges the team faces as they navigate the demanding playoff season, with age playing a significant role in their current struggles.