Dodgers Manager Defends Slumping Will Smith in NLCS Lineup Amid Offensive Woes

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed continued confidence in catcher Will Smith, despite the veteran slugger’s significant offensive struggles in the early stages of the National League Championship Series. Smith has been one of the team's weakest hitters in the postseason, going hitless in four of his last five games and batting just 1-for-19 overall.

Despite these numbers, Roberts indicated he has no immediate plans to drop Smith from the No. 3 spot in the batting order. "It’s a fair question," Roberts acknowledged, "But right now, I still like him at the top of the order."

Smith's slump has become a focal point as the Dodgers face the Milwaukee Brewers. In Game 1, a 2-1 loss, Smith bounced into a double play that halted a potential first-inning rally. While he did draw a walk and avoided striking out in that game, his overall playoff performance has been a stark contrast to his regular-season success. Smith had been hitting .354 over his last 16 regular-season games before the playoffs, following a three-month absence due to a neck injury earlier in the summer.

Roberts acknowledged Smith's difficulties, stating, "He’s not swinging the bat well... It’s just, it’s hard because the body of work. He just has that knack to get a hit –– to get a big hit."

Smith's postseason struggles are particularly notable given his reputation as a clutch hitter, highlighted by his go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the World Series last October, which cemented his status as a franchise legend. That performance underscored his reputation as one of baseball's most clutch and overlooked star hitters.

The question of Smith's place in the lineup arises as other Dodgers hitters have shown signs of life. Teoscar Hernández recorded two hits in Game 1, boosting his postseason average to .250. Andy Pages, who drove in the Dodgers' only run in the loss, has been productive in recent games, going 5-for-11 with three RBIs over the last three contests.

While Roberts firmly dismissed the possibility of removing Smith from the lineup entirely, the potential for a batting order adjustment remains a topic of discussion given the critical nature of the NLCS and the potential for low-scoring, tightly contested games. Smith was not available to reporters in the clubhouse following Game 1.