What happened: Blake Snell settled in after surrendering a first-pitch leadoff home run to Jackson Chourio in NLCS Game 3, retiring 18 of the next 20 batters he faced. He set down 14 consecutive hitters to complete six innings of two-hit ball on 81 pitches.

Why it matters: Snell's efficiency after the opening pitch preserved bullpen depth deep into a tight postseason contest. Holding the opposing lineup to a single baserunner over a 20-batter stretch kept the game within reach while the offense struggled to convert early leadoff baserunners.

What to watch: At 81 pitches through six frames, Snell is positioned to return for the seventh inning as the late-inning bullpen decision approaches.