Padres News: Manny Machado Highlights Blake Snell's Recent Excellence at the Mound

He's looking like the star he is!

If the San Diego Padres want to accomplish all the goals that they set out for themselves this season, they will need their star players to show out. It's been a very up-and-down year for the Padres so far, and they've been playing catch-up due to their slow start. But recently, they have been played better, and it has been on the shoulders of their stars, finally producing at a high level. One star in particular has been special over their last couple of appearances, and that is pitcher Blake Snell.

Snell is the ace of the Padres, so he is expected to give them a good start each time on the mound. But over his last six games, he has been incredible for the Padres. Since May 25, Snell is second in baseball in ERA and leads the majors with a strikeout rate of 41 percent. He has been doing all the things needed to put his team in place to succeed, and his teammates have noticed.

“He’s just been going out there attacking guys, getting outs, striking out a lot of them,” Manny Machado said yesterday. “I’ve seen him pitch well for three years. Obviously, he’s always started off a little slow in the past. But he’s been lights out for us.”

Per The San Diego Union-Tribune

Snell has been known as a slow starter in his career but picks things up as the season goes on. Prior to the All-Star break, Snell is ranked 44th in overall ERA at 4.05, but after the break, his ERA drops to just 2.86. While it isn't the All-Star break just yet, the game is coming up soon, and this is when Snell starts to shine.

He has been one of the better pitchers in the game over the last five or so seasons and makes lineups fearful on the mound. And while he has been in this impressive groove for a bit now, he thinks he can get even better.

“I’m starting to feel it out and figure it out, and I think that’s huge,” Snell said. “I know how much it’s gonna play for me. When I have four pitches and they’re all working, that’s when I’m at my best. And I know when that pitch gets to where I know it needs to be, I’ll be pretty scary.”

Per The San Diego Union-Tribune

If Snell gets any better, it will be scary for opposing teams. The Padres need him to be dominant every time out on the mound, and if he does that, then San Diego may be able to make a run toward the postseason.