Padres News: Giants Starter Crowns Blake Snell ‘Best Pitcher in Baseball’

Blake Snell is a lock for the NL Cy Young award.

Blake Snell has been the best pitcher in baseball this season. His 2.25 ERA leads all starting pitchers by a lot and he's struck out an impressive 234 batters.

Snell hasn't allowed a run in his last three starts, including a no-hit performance across seven innings against the Rockies. For Snell, however, his personal success doesn't compare to the disappointment felt about the Padres' failure this season.

"The ultimate goal is the playoffs and winning a World Series with these guys, so that definitely sucks," Snell said. "That's something that, looking back on when we're all old, it's going to be one that stings because I don't know if I'll ever play on a team this talented and this good."

(Via AJ Cassavell,

MLB.com

)

Giants starter Logan Webb, who is having a nice season himself with a 3.25 ERA, said that facing Snell is a challenge because of his dominance. 

“It’s kind of hard to try to go pitch to pitch with him, right?” Webb said. “He’s going to win the Cy Young. He’s the best pitcher in baseball. It’s always a pleasure watching him.”

(Via AJ Cassavell,

MLB.com

)

Snell hasn't wavered in his dominance this season, becoming the first pitcher in Padres history to make 23 straight starts while giving up three or fewer earned runs.

Padres manager Bob Melvin also appreciates the greatness he is witnessing.

“It’s just the dominance with which he’s gone about it, especially here recently,” Melvin said. “... In my opinion, you’re seeing the most dominant pitcher, certainly, in baseball.”

(Via AJ Cassavell,

MLB.com

)

Snell is expected to make one more start, in the season finale against the Chicago White Sox, as the Padres teeter on the edge of playoff elimination. However, if they fall out of contention by then — and they likely will — his season may be done.