What happened: Dave Roberts sent Blake Snell back out for the seventh inning of a postseason game. He cited swing-and-miss stuff and said hitters were not picking him up. Snell had not allowed a home run all season.

Why it matters: Keeping a starter in the game conserved bullpen arms for tomorrow's game with series stakes attached. Postseason advancement often hinges on extracting extra outs from frontline starters. A season-long homerless run made the matchup bet more defensible.

What to watch: The club turns to tomorrow's game with the series outcome in the balance. Bullpen availability after Snell's seventh will shape the next pitching plan.