The Los Angeles Dodgers have many strengths, including elite starting pitching, a deep lineup featuring three MVPs and plenty of postseason experience. Coming into Game 1 of the World Series on Friday against the Blue Jays,

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-time Cy Young Award winner detailed a brutal illness that forced a hospital stay.

The last time we saw Snell in the World Series was as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020. In Game 6 of that series, against the Dodgers, he was controversially taken out of a game he was leading 1-0. After Snell’s exit, the Dodgers would rally and win the game to clinch the series.

For most of his debut season in L.A., Blake Snell was grappling with frustration in what he calls “the hardest year of my career.”