"Snellzilla is back" "Second half Blake Snell is a monster" - MLB fans excited as former Cy Young winner makes history with career high 15 strikeouts

For Blake Snell, the reigning Cy Young Award winner in the National League, the 2024 season has certainly not been the best of his career. The left-handed pitcher was a late addition for the San Francisco Giants, and he has spent plenty of time on the sidelines since. Nevertheless, fans reacted as Snell delivered one of his best nights on the mound on Saturday, racking up a career-high 15 strikeouts.

Playing for the San Diego Padres last year, Blake Snell had a poor start to the 2023 season as well before putting up an outstanding second half to win the Cy Young Award.

Snell headed into free agency next but remained unsigned while the 2024 season had begun. Eventually, he penned a two-year, $62 million deal to play for the Giants with an opt-out at the end of the first year.

With no spring training, Snell struggled to stay fit in the first half of the campaign, and his performances were well below par. Before his latest outing, Snell only made nine starts and had a 0-3 record while pitching 41.2 innings with a 5.46 ERA. However, on Saturday, he dominated the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park by striking 15 of their batters in just six frames.

MLB fans took notice of Snell's brilliant performance and expressed their thoughts on social media.

"Snellzilla is back," stated one fan.

"Wake up, babe, second half Blake Snell is here," said another one.

"Second half Snell is a monster," another fan posted.

Fans continued to pour out their praises on the scintillating performance from Blake Snell.

"15 strikeouts through 6 is crazy work," one fan said.

"15 Ks in 6 innings is insane," another fan agreed.

"And the most Swing and Misses in the MLB this season," another fan noted.

However a few cynical fans were more interested in the timing of the performance from Blake Snell.

"When the lights (trade deadline) are on he will always show up," one fan wrote.

"Right before getting traded," another fan said.

"His next start will be with a different team," posted another fan.

The Giants beat the Rockies 4-1 on Saturday to level their four-game series at 1-1.

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Blake Snell will be a target for playoff contenders at the trade deadline

Blake Snell will be a target for playoff contending teams at the trade deadline. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Blake Snell is a possible target for a few teams this trade deadline, and his latest performance could force them to make a move.

The San Francisco Giants are in fourth place in the NL West and five and a half games back in the Wild Card race. Therefore, they should be willing to move Snell to cut down their payroll and possibly add a few prospects for the future.

For the buying team, Snell could be a slightly expensive but worthwhile rental, as he's most likely to opt for free agency once again at the end of the 2024 season. The 31-year-old pitcher would add veteran experience to the starting rotation, while he generally delivers his best during the second half of the campaign, so he could play a major role during the postseason.