LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have another All-Star in their lineup for Game 3 against the Phillies, with catcher Will Smith behind and batting fifth on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, making his first start since September 9.
Smith has been heavily involved in this series already, entering each of the first two games in Philadelphia and catching the rest of the way, with a total of nine innings behind the plate so far in the series. The Dodgers have been managing Smith’s workload after suffering a harline
fracture in his right hand stemming from getting hit by a foul ball on September 3 in Pittsburgh.
After the injury, Smith started only once during the regular season, on September 9 against the Rockies. His appearance in Game 1 was Smith’s first game action in 25 days.
Thus far during the NLDS, Smith has one hit in his four at-bats plus a walk, with the hit a two-run single during the decisive four-run seventh inning that was just enough to win Game 2 on Monday. During the season, Smith hit .296/.404/.497, leading the team in batting average, on-base percentage, and second with a 153 wRC+.
Also back in the lineup is Max Muncy at third base, hitting … with right-hander Aaron Nola on the mound for the Phillies. Muncy did not start in either game in Philadelphia with left-handers Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo starting, but did appear in both games. Muncy walked and doubled in Game 2 and thus far this postseason has two hits in 10 at-bats, including a double and three walks.
With Smith and Muncy back in the lineup, the Dodgers will continue to extend their current record-tying streak of 13 consecutive postseason games scoring at least four runs, which dates back to Game 3 of the 2024 NLCS. The Dodgers currently share the major league record for the longest such streak with the Baltimore Orioles in 1970-71. Hat tip to Sarah Langs at MLB.com for this nugget.
