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The young lefty has been outstanding over his last 15 starts. The “A word” is coming into play.

Related Topics: Word, Blake Snell, Chris Archer

It probably hasn’t been lost on anyone who visits DRaysBay very often, but the Blake Snell Breakout (patent pending since 2016) is finally and officially upon us.

While the 2018 sample itself (28.1 IP) is not enough to crown Snell our Once and Future King, if we go back to the end of 2017—the stretch that got hopes so high for Snell before this current season—the numbers are just as strong.

Over his last 15 starts—basically half a season—he is 8-2 with a 2.74 ERA, 3.18 FIP, and 3.83 xFIP. He has 87 strikeouts compared to 28 walks over that time period, and he has thrived in terms of keeping the ball in the yard (9.