Will Smith got off to a scorching start for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season before cooling off at the plate in recent weeks.
Since June 1, the All-Star catcher is hitting just .200/.300/.361 with five doubles, one triple, six home runs and 20 RBI in 41 games. “It’s baseball. It happens,” Smith answered when asked what is causing him to struggle.
“You have these stretches. Got to continue to work and dig your way out of it.”
When asked about his offensive woes last month, Smith ruled out a potential injury but did acknowledge he was not feeling like himself.
Smith proceeded to hit three home runs in one game against the Milwaukee Brewers, but has not been able to build on the career performance.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier that he believed Smith’s struggles were related to his mechanics and not health. That in turn has led to more days off than usual to give Smith an opportunity to work on his swing.
In 91 games this season, the 29-year-old is hitting .252/.332/.443 with 19 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs and 57 RBI over 395 plate appearances.
Will Smith: Dodgers ‘best team in baseball’ despite recent struggles
The Dodgers recently went through a stretch where they lost six of eight games before defeating the Oakland Athletics in back-to-back contests.
The Dodgers have endured bouts of adversity over the years, but perhaps none more challenging than this season. “Maybe. It’s a season, so it’s a long year,” Will Smith answered when asked if the Dodgers are experiencing more adversity than last season.
“There’s going to be injuries and tough times, and good times like there’s been this year. It’s part of it. We’ll come out of it. No doubt about it. We’re the Dodgers. We know we’re the best team in baseball. We just have to start playing like it.”
The Dodgers have seen their lead in the National League West shrink to 4.5 games amid injuries and rough patches, but Smith isn’t concerned. “We’re still in first place in the West,” he began.
“There’s just things we’ve got to focus on individually and as a team. Just get back to playing good baseball.”
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