The Los Angeles Dodgers have started all four of their postseason games thus far without Will Smith in the lineup, but that’s potentially changing as they look to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies.
After entering off the bench in both of the first two National League Division Series games due to the ongoing recovery from a hairline fracture in his right hand, Smith is on track to be in the Dodgers lineup for Game 3.
“There is hope,” manager Dave Roberts said before the Dodgers took the field for a workout on the off day. “I think he came out of it (Game 2) well. I’ll see him out there at the workout, so I’ll make the decision tomorrow. Each day it’s gotten better, so I feel more confident that he’ll be able to start.”
Smith sustained the hand fracture on Sept. 3 and missed nearly a week before playing again on Sept. 9. However, Smith’s hand regressed and that wound up being his final game played during the regular season. Additional testing more than one week later revealed the full extent of his injury to be a hairline fracture.
The Dodgers have relied on Ben Rortvedt in Smith’s absence, and he’s received rave reviews while filling in. Rortvedt has three hits, including one double, in seven at-bats over his four postseason starts. He made just one plate appearance in Games 1 and 2 before getting pinch-hit for by Smith.
Smith was hit by a pitch and scored a run in Game 1, then delivered a two-run single on Sunday.
Will Smith not impacted by Phillies pitching change
The Phillies decided on Aaron Nola starting Game 3 and having Ranger Suárez available out of the bullpen, which is going to result in Max Muncy making his first start of the NLDS.
But it otherwise will not have an impact on Dodgers lineup decisions.
“Miggy Ro won’t be in there. Then I’ve got to certainly make the decision on Will versus Ben to start the game. But that has no bearing on who the starting pitcher for them,” Roberts said.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
