LOS ANGELES — For the first time in nine games, the Dodgers made a lineup change, after scoring three runs in their last 20 innings. A struggling Andy Pages sits for Game 5 of the World Series against
the Blue Jays on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. In addition Mookie Betts moves down to third in the batting order, with catcher Will Smith second behind Shohei Ohtani.
Pages has one hit in 15 at-bats in the World Series, and has four hits in 50 at-bats this postseason. He started the Dodgers’ first 14 games this postseason, playing all but seven innings in center field.
Kiké Hernández moves from left field to center, with Alex Call getting the start in left field. It’s the third start of the postseason for Call, and his first since Game 4 of the NLDS. Call, who was acquired from the Nationals at the trade deadline, has four hits in nine at-bats plus two walks and a hit by pitch this postseason.
It’s the first time the Dodgers had a lineup change since the National League Division Series. Manager Dave Roberts hinted Tuesday night that a lineup change was coming.
“I’ve got to make a decision. Essentially am I going to, you know, play Andy, am I going to play Call, or am I going to play Miggy Ro?” Roberts said Tuesday night. “Just kind of trying to think through all that stuff and net it out and see what gives us the best chance tomorrow.”
As for Betts, it’s his first time batting anywhere but first or second since September 6, 2021, when he batted third. He has three singles in 19 at-bats plus three walks in the World Series. Will Smith, with four hits, including a home run in 17 at-bats plus two walks in the series, bats second behind Ohtani, who has walked seven times in the series, four of them intentionally.
