The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2026 season came to an abrupt end on Oct. 15 when the Milwaukee Brewers completed a sweep in the National League Championship Series.

Los Angeles delivered a disappointing and underwhelming performance, with almost nothing going right for the back-to-back World Series champions.

The Brewers outplayed the Dodgers in every phase, while several of Los Angeles’ leading players failed to reach their potential.

Blake Snell was no exception.

The left-hander struggled during the postseason, going 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 9.2 innings over two starts, with 14 strikeouts, seven walks and three home runs surrendered. However, his results were not caused by insufficient preparation.

Before starting Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, the 33-year-old spoke with Dylan Hernandez from the California Post about feeling misunderstood.

Snell believes people who watch him pitch do not fully appreciate the amount of work he invests in becoming an excellent pitcher. He studies opposing hitters closely, seeking to understand their current form and how each one approaches an at-bat.

“I just wish people would watch me pitch and then understand the work that I put into being a good pitcher, great pitcher, is a lot more than they’ve ever experienced or give me credit for,” Snell explained.

“Because I watch the game, I understand the hitters. I understand who they are right now in the present," he continued. "I understand who they are as a hitter.”

His devotion to baseball helps explain how he became a two-time Cy Young Award winner. That dedication also supports an ambitious long-term objective that extends well beyond his current contract.

Snell wants to earn election to the Hall of Fame and continue pitching until he is 45 years old.

He acknowledged that accomplishing those goals will require considerable work to ensure his body can withstand the demands. Snell does not believe making approximately 10 starts in each of the last two years represents a Hall of Fame path.

That makes this offseason particularly important. He must determine how to prepare his body to handle a full regular season and the postseason while proving to himself that he can sustain that workload.

“I have a lot to do to make sure my body can hold,” Snell said. “The last two years, I’ve gotten 10 starts a year. That’s not Hall of Fame in my mind.

“So this offseason is super important. How do I attack it? How do I get my body right? How am I able to make sure I can pitch 30 games, and then on top of that, the postseason? There’s a lot of stuff to prove for myself,” Snell concluded.

Snell has completed the second season of his five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers. He will be 38 when the agreement expires before the 2031 season.

His talent could allow him to continue pitching into his mid-40s, but availability has repeatedly interrupted his Dodgers tenure. Snell has thrown only 104 innings in 20 regular-season starts during his two years with Los Angeles.

He has dealt with several physical problems, including left shoulder fatigue, loose bodies in his left elbow and left groin tightness.

Snell’s preparation, competitiveness and detailed study of hitters provide the foundation for extending his career. He understands pitching as more than overpowering an opponent, relying on observation, sequencing and constant adjustments to remain effective.

His willingness to assess his shortcomings also matters. Rather than treating his previous accomplishments as sufficient, Snell recognizes that durability must become part of his legacy.

Pitching until 45 remains an extraordinary ambition. Before Snell can seriously pursue another 12 years in MLB, however, his immediate challenge is completing one healthy season in 2027.