Saturday, August 2, 2025

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025

On an early Saturday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Stadium, the Tampa  Bay Rays shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-to-0.

After making two starts just after Opening Day in the 2025 season, Blake Snell went on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. The Dodgers thought Snell would return in May.

Nope.

Against his old team, Snell returned to the Dodgers. He was marvelous for five innings, even though he allowed two home runs. He had great command, so he didn’t issue a walk. Before going on the IL, Snell couldn’t find the strike zone. However, on Saturday, Snell had eight strikeouts. If the Dodgers could produce offensively in a small minor league stadium, Snell wouldn’t have been charged with the loss.

Despite allowing a solo home run, Jack Dreyer led the relievers – Alexis Diaz and Anthony Banda – to another brilliant performance.

Yes, it was hot and muggy. However, the Dodgers’ offense should have looked more energetic than it did. Freddie Freeman had two hits.

If the Dodgers don’t play better than they did in July when they had ten wins and fourteen losses, they won’t win the National League Western Division since the San Diego Padres improved greatly at the trading deadline.