Game 5 of the World Series was supposed to be Blake Snell’s night of redemption because when he last played against the Jays in Game 1, his performance was not elite. In 5 innings, Snell threw 100 pitches and gave up two runs in three walks, and four hits.

Snell also admitted his mistake after Game 1. “I just learned things I did wrong, things I did right… Fastball command needs to be better — that’s apparent to anyone. I’m thankful for the first start and what I was able to learn and how much better I got from that.” However, his version of “better” was missing in Game 5, too.

Now, he is defending his collapse, calling it “pretty unlucky” after surrendering 2 home runs on the first 3 pitches. That’s a World Series record, by the way. And while the Jays are celebrating their commanding 3-2 lead, veterans are reacting to Snell’s statement, none louder than Jeff Frye.

The Red Sox veteran took to social media and posted a short video of Blake Snell’s postgame interview under the caption, “DON’T MAKE EXCUSES KIDS!!! If you throw a pitch and it gets hit for a home run, it’s not BAD LUCK!!!” This statement resonated with others who thought the Dodgers star’s postgame interview downplayed the Jays’ offensive power.

He allowed back-to-back homers to Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Each of the first three pitches was a fastball, and the Dodgers star’s next 22 pitches were offspeed.

“I mean, it didn’t really get to me. It was the first pitch of the game, a 97 fastball up and in. He hits it 98, it goes out, pretty unlucky,” Blake Snell recalled about Schneider’s HR.

“And then Vlad, that’s just a bad pitch, down and in fastball. But then after that, yeah, pretty smooth sailing. Figured out their lineup, what they like to do. Then Varsha gets a triple on a 78 exit velo. It’s just unlucky,” he added. Snell managed the early tribute and then gave up a leadoff triple to Dalton Varsho in the fourth inning on a 75.6 mph ball.

Snell could not complete the 7th inning. He left runners on first and third after a walk, a single, and 2 wild pitches, and the Jays were leading 3-1. Then Snell was replaced by Edgardo Henriquez, who walked Guerrero. Addison Barger, one who singled and moved up on Snell’s pair of wild pitches, scored on Henriquez’s wild pitch, making it 4-1.

Snell continued, “I mean, I’m not one to make excuses or anything close to that, but, yeah, it’s pretty unlucky.” While the star insisted he was not making excuses, repeatedly using “unlucky” did not align well with Frye.

The Red Sox veteran’s narrative was clear. 

There is nothing called luck in a game; it is about execution.

While Blake Snell’s statement drew heat from critics, another Dodgers star didn’t have words in the aftermath of Game 5.

Mookie Betts does not have any answers

This World Series truly looks like a nightmare for Mookie Betts. Once the Dodgers’ emotional compass, Betts now looks totally unrecognizable on baseball’s biggest stage. His timing at the plate is off, his confidence shaken, and even his production has vanished. The proof is in the numbers.

Only 3 hits in 23 at-bats, zero RBIs, and not a single extra-base hit in 5 World Series games. Manager Dave Roberts told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, “I think he’s pressing.” Roberts continued, “I think you can see there’s a little anxiousness there.”

Betts himself admitted this following the loss. 

“I’ve just been terrible.” He continued, “I mean, I think [Yesavage] pitched a great game. I’m not taking any credit away from him. I just don’t have any answers.” The former offensive engine of Dodergs is currently a perfect example of their broader struggles, a declining star trying to rediscover rhythm while the ring seems to slip away.

As the World Series nears its end, the pressure is building on Betts as well as on L.A. So, stay tuned for Game 6, a showdown that could define this falling legacy.