The Los Angeles Dodgers are attempting to overcome a significant hurdle by erasing a 3-1 deficit against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series to advance to the World Series for a third time in the last four years.
They took care of business with a 7-3 win in Game 5 to make it a 3-2 series, and they now will try to even things up with a win in Game 6 on Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, the Game 5 win came at a bit of a cost as Chris Taylor hurt himself throwing a ball to second from the left-field line in the eighth inning. Freddie Freeman hit a double down the line and Taylor made a perfect throw that was dropped, and he tripped and fell, rolling his ankle in the process.
Taylor was able to stay in the game for the rest of that half inning but when his spot in the order came up the next half-inning, he was removed in favor of pinch-hitter Edwin Rios.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after the game that Taylor said he felt a bit of a pop, but didn’t have a full diagnosis until he underwent further testing. But to Roberts’ knowledge on Saturday morning, Taylor did not undergo an X-ray or MRI.
“He’s moving around much better. From the training staff to Chris, it’s better than we expected. He’s just going to keep treating it up and moving around,” Roberts explained.
“I expect him to be available if the situation calls at some point today.”
Roberts added the training staff put Taylor through “mobility” and “strength testing” prior to determining he would not need any sort of medical scanning and could be available for Game 6.
This news comes at an unfortunate time considering the Dodgers are facing a lefty in Max Fried. Kiké Hernandez is starting at second base, which may have been the case even if Taylor hadn’t rolled his ankle.
Hernandez hit a home run off Fried in Game 1 of the NLCS, and Taylor has been struggling at the plate this postseason, batting just .161/.257/.226.
Austin Barnes, Will Smith in lineup
With the Dodgers facing a southpaw, Austin Barnes and Will Smith both are in the lineup, which to this point had only been the case when the former caught Clayton Kershaw.
“I love the battery and I love getting Will’s bat back in there,” Roberts said.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
